URBANDALE, Iowa — The Little Hawkeye Conference is expanding with the addition of Des Moines Christian.

A news release from the school on Monday said it has accepted the invitation to join the LHC for athletics starting in the 2026-27 school year. It will become the conference’s ninth member

“A key factor in this decision was the clear vision the Little Hawkeye Conference has for the future — a vision that includes schools of different sizes working together under a divisional model,” said Jon Muller, Head of Student Activities at Des Moines Christian School. “We are deeply grateful for the invitation and excited for the opportunities this move provides our student-athletes to compete and grow in a strong, values-driven environment.”

The Des Moines Christian Lions are currently part of the West Central Activities Conference.

The LHC has undergone some changes over the last few years with the departure of Grinnell. It has also extended invites to the conference to Van Meter, Prairie City-Monroe, Knoxville, and Urbandale — but they declined to join. Ames accepted, and Nevada has not shared whether a decision has been made.

With the addition of Des Moines Christian next year, the Little Hawkeye Conference members will be:

• Dallas Center-Grimes
• Indianola
• Newton
• Norwalk
• Oskaloosa
• Pella
• Pella Christian
• Ames
• Des Moines Christian