Maintains architectural integrity in historic Iowa school building
Originally commissioned in 1931 and designed for students with special needs, the Smouse Opportunity School was one of the first schools in Iowa to create a conducive learning environment for those students unable to attend a traditional public school due to physical or mental disabilities. Designed to accommodate the unique requirements of its students, Smouse is equipped with resources such as a hydrotherapy tank, temperature-controlled classrooms, rooms designed to carry vibrations for hearing-impaired students, tilted blackboards to prevent glare for the visually impaired, a resting room, and a swimming pool.
In addition to the school’s personalized learning environment, the facility also features beautiful architectural elements from the building’s original structure such as ornate wood carvings and hallways adorned with hand-painted ceramic tiles. Due to its turn-of-the-century design and long-standing contribution to the Des Moines community, Smouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002.