Ankeny Community School District
Encyclopedia
The Ankeny Community School District is located in Polk County, Iowa
and is 6 miles (9.7 km) from the capitol city, Des Moines
. The district is well known in Iowa
for accomplishments in academics, athletics and activities. Ankeny Schools are accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
(AdvancEd) and the Iowa Department of Education
, and are part of the Central Iowa Metro League
(CIML).
For more than a decade, the district has been one of the fastest growing school district in Iowa. The district will serve more than 8,800 students in 2011–2012 and is the 10th largest district in the state (by student enrollment). By 2014–2015, the district is projected to enroll 10,019 students and by 2018–2019 the district is projected to enroll 11,274 students.
Physically, the district encompasses a relatively compact 51.93 mi2 and has more than 360540 miles (580,231.4 km) driven by buses per year.
The district's first official "graduating class" was the five-person class of 1914. Consolidation came to Ankeny in 1919, at which time the oldest part of the Neveln building was built. Several country school houses were moved to the grounds to accommodate the increased enrollment.
There was no further new construction until 1952 when the original part of the Parkview building was constructed. In 1957, the west wing was added and in 1964 an east wing was completed. In 1964, Parkview became Ankeny High School
. Later, the facility was repurposed and renamed as "Parkview Middle School."
Northwest Elementary on West 1st Street was the first building to open after the original Parkview building. It was completed in 1962. Additional buildings include (in order of opening):
is currently implementing a ten-year facility plan that culminates in the operation of two high schools in the 2013–2014 school year
. At that time, the district will operate two, fully functioning secondary school systems. In 2009, construction began on the new Ankeny High School in Prairie Trail, and construction on the new Ankeny Centennial High School began with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 1, 2010.
In August 2011, the district opened the new Ankeny High School
and Phase I of Southview Middle School, at which time the previous high school became a middle school for 8th and 9th grades. At that same time, the district experienced its first division on the way to two secondary school systems, by moving to two 6th–7th grade middle schools: Prairie Ridge Middle School for the north feeder system and Parkview Middle School for the south feeder system. In 2013–2014 the district will open Ankeny Centennial High School, marking the first time in four decades in which a school district in Iowa expanded to two high schools. The name, "Ankeny Centennial High School" is in honor of 100 years of graduating classes in Ankeny Community Schools. The Class of 2013 will be the 100th class, graduating just three months prior to the opening of the school.
Several other construction projects are currently underway in the district, including expansion of East Elementary School, and the construction of Prairie Trail Elementary (K-5).
• 95.6% graduation rate – No. 1 among the ten largest districts in Iowa (2010–2011)
• 1.6% dropout rate – (2010–2011)
• 96.6% average daily attendance rate (2010–2011)
• 23.7 average composite score on ACT, while state average is 22.2 and national is 21.3 (2010–2011)
• 23rd on the Belin and Blank Iowa AP Index with 334 AP exams among 465 graduates (2009–2010)
• 43 students earning AP Scholar Awards; eight with distinction and 14 with honor (2009–2010)
• 85.6% of the graduating class intends to pursue post-secondary education (2009–2010)
• More than 13,000 DMACC
credits earned by students (2010–2011)
• 77,776 DMACC credits earned by AHS students since 2000 (2010–2011)
• 4 National Merit Scholarship Finalists (2010–2011)
• 2 Presidential Scholar Candidates (2010–2011)
• 204 students took 5 or more AP/Honors classes (2010–2011); the third straight year of increase.
• 42 students graduated with an honors diploma (2011)
• 85.6% of the class of 2010 intend to pursue post-secondary education/training.
structure.
In 2013, when the district divides into two secondary school systems, the grade-level structure will revert to its traditional K-5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–12 grade level structure. The "feeder system" configuration for two high schools is planned as follows:
North Feeder System
South Feeder System
• H.H. VanBethuysen 1917–1919
• E.G. Clark 1919–1921
• E.W. Neveln 1921–1943
• Cliff Evans 1943–1947
• Ted Karges 1948–1951
• Ralph Jorgensen 1951–1958
• Melvin Anderson 1958–1960
• Keith Hopkins 1960–1986
• Dr. Ben Norman 1986–2002
• Kent Mutchler 2002–2006
• Dr. Veronica Stalker 2006–2007
• Dr. Matthew Wendt 2007 – present
Girls' Athletics
Ankeny girls' athletics rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s under Coach Dick Rasmussen, who coached the girls' basketball and softball teams. Under head coach Scott De Jong, the girls basketball team holds the record for the most consecutive state titles. They won the state championship in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; in 2005 they rose as high as No. 2 in USA Today's Super 25 national rankings. The Hawkettes hold the record for the most state titles by a school in Iowa history, having won six championships under Coach De Jong in the five-girl era and another three under the old six-girl rules.
The Ankeny girls track and field team won the state outdoor championship in 1981 under coach Roy Crabtree and has, under head coach Dennis Adamson, won the state indoor championship in 1996 and was runner-up outdoor state champions in 1996 and 1997. The girls track and field team under coach Adamson has also been in the top ten state finishers seven times most recently finishing seventh in the 2010 season.
Under Coach Dave Whims, the Ankeny High School volleyball team has had several state tournament appearances and have won the state championship in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009. In 2003, 2004 and 2010 the team was the state 4A runner up. Overall since 1996, the volleyball team has made 10 state tournament appearances and won 9 conference championships.
The Ankeny girls' golf team, coached by Toni Dickey, has appeared in the state tournament from 2001 to 2005, 2007 to 2009, and 2011. The team has four championships, 1986, 2003, 2004, and 2008. The 2009 team placed 3rd at the state tournament, and 5th in 2011. The girls have been crowned conference champions in each year from 2001 to 2009, and again in 2011.
The Ankeny girls' soccer team, under the direction of Coach Chris Allen, captured their first state championship in 2011.
Boys' Athletics
Ankeny also has a very successful football team
. Coach Jerry Pezzetti has accumulated over 300 wins in his 40+ year career at Ankeny including a state championship in 1997. Since 1998, and with the help of special teams coach Peter Rameh, four Hawk kickers have played college football
for teams in the Division I Bowl Sub-division, including former University of Miami
All-America
n Todd Sievers
The Ankeny boys' soccer team is coached by Rick Isaacson, with the assistance of Peter Rameh. The team made its first ever state tournament appearance in 2006, losing in the first round to top seeded Bettendorf. They made the state tournament again in 2007, where they won the state title with a 1–0 victory over Valley High School after a last-minute goal by Jacob Misel.
The baseball team
has nine state tournament appearances, including four state runner-ups and one state championship in 1992.
Alumni Athletic Participation at Higher Levels
Ankeny High School
alumni have participated in numerous NCAA Division I sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, women's golf, equestrian, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's swimming, softball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, and wrestling.
Several former Ankeny athletes have achieved high levels of performance at the professional level:
, the Marching Hawks.
There are three show choirs at Ankeny High School; Visual Adrenaline (VA), Perpetual Motion (PM) and Intensity, VA and PM being coed, while Intensity being an all girls choir, respectfully. VA continues to gain First Place in competitions, and is 11th in the nation. Jim Cacciatore leads Intensity, while Lester Miller directs VA and PM.
The Drama department does three plays a year: a fall play, a children's play (which is led by the students) and a spring musical.
and Jim Root
, members of Slip {knot
• Dennis Albaugh, Owner of Albaugh Chemical, No. 468 on the 2009 The World's Billionaires list published by Forbes
• Dennis Gibson
, linebacker for the Detroit Lions
and San Diego Chargers
football teams
• Pat Dunsmore
, Tight end for the Chicago Bears
football team
• Paul Rhoads
, Head Coach
of the Iowa State University
football team
• Benj Sampson, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
baseball team
• Connie Yori
, head basketball coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers
women's basketball team and recipient of the 2010 Naismith College Coach of the Year
award
• Andrew Brodell, former wide receiver for the University of Iowa (2004–2008) and second team All-Big Ten Selection.
Polk County, Iowa
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 430,640 in the 2010 census, an increase from 374,601 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa...
and is 6 miles (9.7 km) from the capitol city, Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. The district is well known in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
for accomplishments in academics, athletics and activities. Ankeny Schools are accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
(AdvancEd) and the Iowa Department of Education
Iowa Department of Education
The Iowa Department of Education sets the standards for all public institutions of education and accredits private as well as public schools. It is headquartered in Des Moines....
, and are part of the Central Iowa Metro League
Central Iowa Metro League
The Central Iowa Metro League is a high school athletic conference whose members are located in the metropolitan areas of central Iowa, with most of the schools being from the Des Moines area....
(CIML).
For more than a decade, the district has been one of the fastest growing school district in Iowa. The district will serve more than 8,800 students in 2011–2012 and is the 10th largest district in the state (by student enrollment). By 2014–2015, the district is projected to enroll 10,019 students and by 2018–2019 the district is projected to enroll 11,274 students.
Physically, the district encompasses a relatively compact 51.93 mi2 and has more than 360540 miles (580,231.4 km) driven by buses per year.
History
The first school in Ankeny was a log cabin, built in 1850, twenty years before Crocker Township was organized as a civil township. Ankeny's first school was located approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) south of town where the east entrance of the Iowa State Experimental farm joined Highway 69. This school was later re-located on the east side of Ankeny Boulevard, just south of First Street. Records show that Mr. A. H. Feigenbaum was one of the early teachers, serving in one of the one-room schools about 1880. The early roster includes other names such as Mrs. Hattie Cornwall, a Miss Benedict, Miss Maude Kennedy, and Mrs. John Wagner as a substitute.The district's first official "graduating class" was the five-person class of 1914. Consolidation came to Ankeny in 1919, at which time the oldest part of the Neveln building was built. Several country school houses were moved to the grounds to accommodate the increased enrollment.
There was no further new construction until 1952 when the original part of the Parkview building was constructed. In 1957, the west wing was added and in 1964 an east wing was completed. In 1964, Parkview became Ankeny High School
Ankeny High School
Ankeny High School is a high school located in the suburban town of Ankeny, Iowa. It is part of the Ankeny Community School District, one of the fastest growing school districts in Iowa and Ankeny High School now serves over 12,000 students....
. Later, the facility was repurposed and renamed as "Parkview Middle School."
Northwest Elementary on West 1st Street was the first building to open after the original Parkview building. It was completed in 1962. Additional buildings include (in order of opening):
- East Elementary, built in 1963
- Southeast Elementary, opened in 1969
- Terrace Elementary on School Street opened in 1972
- Ankeny High School, opened in two phases (1973 & 1975) and later repurposed as Northview Middle School in 2011
- Northview Middle School, opened in 1995 and later repurposed as Prairie Ridge Middle School in 2011
- Westwood Elementary, opened in 1989
- Northeast Elementary, opened in 1992
- Crocker Elementary, opened in 2004
- Ashland Ridge Elementary, opened in 2008
- The new Ankeny High School, opened in 2011
- Southview Middle School, opened in 2011
Current Expansion
The Ankeny School districtSchool district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
is currently implementing a ten-year facility plan that culminates in the operation of two high schools in the 2013–2014 school year
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
. At that time, the district will operate two, fully functioning secondary school systems. In 2009, construction began on the new Ankeny High School in Prairie Trail, and construction on the new Ankeny Centennial High School began with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 1, 2010.
In August 2011, the district opened the new Ankeny High School
Ankeny High School
Ankeny High School is a high school located in the suburban town of Ankeny, Iowa. It is part of the Ankeny Community School District, one of the fastest growing school districts in Iowa and Ankeny High School now serves over 12,000 students....
and Phase I of Southview Middle School, at which time the previous high school became a middle school for 8th and 9th grades. At that same time, the district experienced its first division on the way to two secondary school systems, by moving to two 6th–7th grade middle schools: Prairie Ridge Middle School for the north feeder system and Parkview Middle School for the south feeder system. In 2013–2014 the district will open Ankeny Centennial High School, marking the first time in four decades in which a school district in Iowa expanded to two high schools. The name, "Ankeny Centennial High School" is in honor of 100 years of graduating classes in Ankeny Community Schools. The Class of 2013 will be the 100th class, graduating just three months prior to the opening of the school.
Several other construction projects are currently underway in the district, including expansion of East Elementary School, and the construction of Prairie Trail Elementary (K-5).
Academics
Some of the recent academic accomplishments of Ankeny students include:• 95.6% graduation rate – No. 1 among the ten largest districts in Iowa (2010–2011)
• 1.6% dropout rate – (2010–2011)
• 96.6% average daily attendance rate (2010–2011)
• 23.7 average composite score on ACT, while state average is 22.2 and national is 21.3 (2010–2011)
• 23rd on the Belin and Blank Iowa AP Index with 334 AP exams among 465 graduates (2009–2010)
• 43 students earning AP Scholar Awards; eight with distinction and 14 with honor (2009–2010)
• 85.6% of the graduating class intends to pursue post-secondary education (2009–2010)
• More than 13,000 DMACC
Des Moines Area Community College
The Des Moines Area Community College is a community college in Iowa that offers classes in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Des Moines , Newton, and West Des Moines The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is a community college in Iowa that offers classes in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Des Moines (the...
credits earned by students (2010–2011)
• 77,776 DMACC credits earned by AHS students since 2000 (2010–2011)
• 4 National Merit Scholarship Finalists (2010–2011)
• 2 Presidential Scholar Candidates (2010–2011)
• 204 students took 5 or more AP/Honors classes (2010–2011); the third straight year of increase.
• 42 students graduated with an honors diploma (2011)
• 85.6% of the class of 2010 intend to pursue post-secondary education/training.
Honors
- 2010–2011 Bank Iowa Challenge Cup Class 4A Runner-Up – The Bank Iowa Traveling Challenge Cup is a statewide competition designed to recognize Iowa high school students for both academic excellence and outstanding achievement during state competitions. Winning schools in each of the state’s four classifications (1A, 2A, 3A and 4A) with the best combined score for academics, athletics, music, speech and debate receive a crystal award and $1,500.
- 2011–2016 Accredited by both the Iowa Department of Education and AdvancED – One of only three districts in the Des Moines metro area to receive accreditation for its schools through AdvancEd. AdvancED insists on a relentless pursuit of excellence – for itself and for the institutions it accredits. The next accreditation visits are scheduled for 2016.
- 2009–2010 Iowa Department of Education Breaking Barriers to Learning and Teaching Award – honoring districts that make significant improvements in reducing achievement gaps among key student groups.
- 2009–2010 Bank Iowa Travelling Challenge Cup 4A Champion for academic and activities excellence
Schools
The district currently has 13 school buildings, using a K-5, 6–7, 8–9, 10 and 11–12 grade levelGrade level
Often, people are educated through a series of educational stages, such as primary school and university. They vary around the world, and not every person will attend the same stages...
structure.
- Ankeny High School
- Southview Middle School
- Northview Middle School
- Parkview Middle School
- Prairie Ridge Middle School
- Ashland Ridge Elementary School
- Crocker Elementary School
- East Elementary School
- Northeast Elementary School
- Northwest Elementary School
- Southeast Elementary School
- Terrace Elementary School
- Westwood Elementary School
In 2013, when the district divides into two secondary school systems, the grade-level structure will revert to its traditional K-5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–12 grade level structure. The "feeder system" configuration for two high schools is planned as follows:
North Feeder System
- Ankeny Centennial High School (under construction, opening August 2013)
- Northview Middle School
- Prairie Ridge Middle School
- Ashland Ridge Elementary School
- Northeast Elementary School
- Northwest Elementary School
- Westwood Elementary School
South Feeder System
- Ankeny High School
- Southview Middle School
- Parkview Middle School
- Crocker Elementary School
- East Elementary School
- Prairie Trail Elementary School (under construction, opening August 2012)
- Southeast Elementary School
- Terrace Elementary School
Superintendents
Superintendents who have served at Ankeny Schools include:• H.H. VanBethuysen 1917–1919
• E.G. Clark 1919–1921
• E.W. Neveln 1921–1943
• Cliff Evans 1943–1947
• Ted Karges 1948–1951
• Ralph Jorgensen 1951–1958
• Melvin Anderson 1958–1960
• Keith Hopkins 1960–1986
• Dr. Ben Norman 1986–2002
• Kent Mutchler 2002–2006
• Dr. Veronica Stalker 2006–2007
• Dr. Matthew Wendt 2007 – present
Athletics
2010–2011 School Year Athletic & Activities Achievements- 2011 Girls' Soccer State Championship
- One Individual State Championship – Beth Wagner; golf
- Six Central Iowa Metro League (CIML) Central Conference Championships – volleyball, boys' and girls' golf, girls' bowling, boys' basketball, boys' tennis
- Sixty-eight All-Conference Athletes
- Thirty-eight First-Team or Conference Champions
- Fourteen State Academic Teams
- Eight First-Team All State Athletes
- Eighteen State Tournament Appearances – baseball, girls' and boys' cross country, volleyball, boys' and girls' golf, volleyball, football, boys' and girls' swimming, boys' and girls' basketball, wrestling, boys' and girls' track, boys' and girls' tennis, girls' soccer
- Six State Top Ten Finishes: volleyball- 2nd, football – semifinals, boys' basketball – 3rd, girls' golf – 5th, girls' soccer – 1st, girls basketball- quarterfinals
- Seventeen musicians received All–State recognition
- One State Championship by Ankeny Dance Teamy in lyrical
- One Individual State Championship in Dance by Madi Robson
- Thirty-five individuals or groups received a Division I Rating in speech
- Eight debate participants competing at nationals, with one ranked in the top 30 in the nation, and one ranked in the top 50 in the nation
Girls' Athletics
Ankeny girls' athletics rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s under Coach Dick Rasmussen, who coached the girls' basketball and softball teams. Under head coach Scott De Jong, the girls basketball team holds the record for the most consecutive state titles. They won the state championship in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; in 2005 they rose as high as No. 2 in USA Today's Super 25 national rankings. The Hawkettes hold the record for the most state titles by a school in Iowa history, having won six championships under Coach De Jong in the five-girl era and another three under the old six-girl rules.
The Ankeny girls track and field team won the state outdoor championship in 1981 under coach Roy Crabtree and has, under head coach Dennis Adamson, won the state indoor championship in 1996 and was runner-up outdoor state champions in 1996 and 1997. The girls track and field team under coach Adamson has also been in the top ten state finishers seven times most recently finishing seventh in the 2010 season.
Under Coach Dave Whims, the Ankeny High School volleyball team has had several state tournament appearances and have won the state championship in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009. In 2003, 2004 and 2010 the team was the state 4A runner up. Overall since 1996, the volleyball team has made 10 state tournament appearances and won 9 conference championships.
The Ankeny girls' golf team, coached by Toni Dickey, has appeared in the state tournament from 2001 to 2005, 2007 to 2009, and 2011. The team has four championships, 1986, 2003, 2004, and 2008. The 2009 team placed 3rd at the state tournament, and 5th in 2011. The girls have been crowned conference champions in each year from 2001 to 2009, and again in 2011.
The Ankeny girls' soccer team, under the direction of Coach Chris Allen, captured their first state championship in 2011.
Boys' Athletics
Ankeny also has a very successful football team
Football team
A football team is the collective name given to a group of players selected together in the various team sports known as football.Such teams could be selected to play in an against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an All-star team or even selected as a...
. Coach Jerry Pezzetti has accumulated over 300 wins in his 40+ year career at Ankeny including a state championship in 1997. Since 1998, and with the help of special teams coach Peter Rameh, four Hawk kickers have played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for teams in the Division I Bowl Sub-division, including former University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n Todd Sievers
The Ankeny boys' soccer team is coached by Rick Isaacson, with the assistance of Peter Rameh. The team made its first ever state tournament appearance in 2006, losing in the first round to top seeded Bettendorf. They made the state tournament again in 2007, where they won the state title with a 1–0 victory over Valley High School after a last-minute goal by Jacob Misel.
The baseball team
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
has nine state tournament appearances, including four state runner-ups and one state championship in 1992.
Alumni Athletic Participation at Higher Levels
Ankeny High School
Ankeny High School
Ankeny High School is a high school located in the suburban town of Ankeny, Iowa. It is part of the Ankeny Community School District, one of the fastest growing school districts in Iowa and Ankeny High School now serves over 12,000 students....
alumni have participated in numerous NCAA Division I sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, women's golf, equestrian, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's swimming, softball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, and wrestling.
Several former Ankeny athletes have achieved high levels of performance at the professional level:
- Pat DunsmorePat DunsmorePat Dunsmore is a former professional American football player who played tight end for two seasons for the Chicago Bears. He is a graduate of Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa and Drake University....
played just one year of high school football, but played well enough to earn a scholarship to Drake and went on to become an All-American receiver. He played three seasons in the NFL as a tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
. He was a member of the Chicago Bears’ team that won the Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
in 1985. - Dennis GibsonDennis GibsonDennis Michael Gibson is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League from 1987-1995 for the Detroit Lions and the San Diego Chargers...
was a standout linebacker at Ankeny and was a three-year starter at Iowa State. He was an 8th round draft pickDraft (sports)A draft is a process used in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Russia and the Philippines to allocate certain players to sports teams. In a draft, teams take turns selecting from a pool of eligible players...
by the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in 1987. He helped the Lions to the NFC Championship GameNFC Championship GameThe National Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two semi-final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the...
in 1991 and went on to make nearly 500 tackles during his seven seasons in Detroit. He later joined the San Diego Charges in 1994 and played in the Super Bowl that same year. - Benj Sampson pitched the Ankeny baseball team to the Class 4-A state championship in 1992. He elected to turn pro after being selected by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the 6th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Sampson made his major-league debut with the Twins in September 1998. He complied a 1.56 ERA in five appearances, and earned a spot on Minnesota’s opening-day roster in 1999.
Activities
The Ankeny Bands have two jazz bands, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab, and one marching bandMarching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
, the Marching Hawks.
There are three show choirs at Ankeny High School; Visual Adrenaline (VA), Perpetual Motion (PM) and Intensity, VA and PM being coed, while Intensity being an all girls choir, respectfully. VA continues to gain First Place in competitions, and is 11th in the nation. Jim Cacciatore leads Intensity, while Lester Miller directs VA and PM.
The Drama department does three plays a year: a fall play, a children's play (which is led by the students) and a spring musical.
Notable alumni
• Chris FehnChris Fehn
Christopher Michael "Chris" Fehn , or known by his number #3, is an American musician known as one of the two custom percussionists of the Grammy Award winning nu metal band Slipknot and is the current bassist for the band Will Haven.-Personal life and career:Fehn was born and raised in Des Moines,...
and Jim Root
Jim Root
James Donald "Jim" Root , also known by his number #4, is an American musician known for being the rhythm/lead guitarist of the heavy metal band, Slipknot, and the lead guitarist for rock band, Stone Sour...
, members of Slip {knot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
• Dennis Albaugh, Owner of Albaugh Chemical, No. 468 on the 2009 The World's Billionaires list published by Forbes
• Dennis Gibson
Dennis Gibson
Dennis Michael Gibson is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League from 1987-1995 for the Detroit Lions and the San Diego Chargers...
, linebacker for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
football teams
• Pat Dunsmore
Pat Dunsmore
Pat Dunsmore is a former professional American football player who played tight end for two seasons for the Chicago Bears. He is a graduate of Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa and Drake University....
, Tight end for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
football team
• Paul Rhoads
Paul Rhoads
Paul Rhoads is an American college football head coach at Iowa State University. Rhoads was formerly the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach of the Auburn University football team before then-head coach Tommy Tuberville was forced to resign at the 2008 season's end...
, Head Coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
football team
• Benj Sampson, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
baseball team
• Connie Yori
Connie Yori
Connie Yori is the current head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers women's basketball team representing the University of Nebraska in NCAA Division I competition. She formerly coached Loras College from 1990–92 and Creighton from 1992–2002...
, head basketball coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference...
women's basketball team and recipient of the 2010 Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year Award is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I collegiate coach each season since 1987...
award
• Andrew Brodell, former wide receiver for the University of Iowa (2004–2008) and second team All-Big Ten Selection.
External links
- Ankeny Community School District Web Site
- Ankeny High School Web Site
- Northview Middle School Web Site
- Parkview Middel School Web Site
- Ashland Ridge Elementary School Web Site
- Crocker Elementary School Web Site
- East Elementary School Web Site
- Northeast Elementary School Web Site
- Northwest Elementary School Web Site
- Southeast Elementary School Web Site
- Terrace Elementary School Web Site
- Westwood Elementary School Web Site