WAUKEE, Iowa — The fastest-growing Des Moines suburb has just finished construction on a new building for its school district.

Waukee North Middle School is opening its doors just in time for the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Construction started two years ago after a bond referendum was passed by a community vote in 2023. The building stage came only six months after Parkridge, a ninth-grade building in the Waukee School District, opened across the block.

North Middle School will house sixth through eighth graders, then students will attend Parkridge for ninth grade, and finally Waukee Northwest to finish their high school days.

Adam Shockey, principal at Waukee North Middle School, said the community support has been great throughout the entire process.

“Our community is very supportive of the educational system,” Shockey said. “That’s a big part of why we’re able to do the things that we’re able to do. And that’s obviously something we’re trying to replicate within our building, is to create that community feel. Because, you know, when kids feel safe, they feel supported. That’s when learning gets maximized.”

Construction finished just in time as teachers are finishing unpacking into their classrooms and final touches are being made to the building itself ahead of the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 25.

The district is expecting roughly 850 students to attend Waukee North Middle School.