About Our Schools

Located just minutes from the Des Moines area, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is home to approximately 525 students.  Our Pre-K-12 students attend school in one building located in Martensdale, just east of Interstate 35 near Highway 92.  We are uniquely positioned to offer a public education in a small school atmosphere while still having easy access to all the amenities offered in the Des Moines metropolitan area.

The district encompasses 78 square miles across Warren and Madison Counties and includes the communities of Martensdale, St. Marys, Bevington, Cumming, Indianola, Norwalk, Prole, and St. Charles. Our students come from these areas and many others through open enrollment.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is community-focused, and we are proud of the opportunities we can offer our students in the areas of academics, performing arts, and athletics.

With the start of the 2024-2025 school year, the District will move to a four-day instructional week with students attending school Tuesday – Friday.

MSTM By the Numbers

Martensdale-St. Marys Community School News

  • Ghost with PTO Trunk or Treat Sign
    Sep 30, 2024

    Save the Date - PTOs Annual Trunk or Treat

    The Martensdale-St. Marys PTO is planning its annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 27 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at Blue Devil Stadium.

    More details will follow in October.


  • Homecoming 2024 over top of Devil Head Mascot
    Sep 23, 2024

    Homecoming 2024 Information

    The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will host Homecoming 2024 the week of September 30.

    Homecoming Court

    The 2024 Homecoming Court as voted on by students is:

    9th Grade Attendants: Kylee Immerfall and Brady Baker

    10th Grade Attendants: Elisabeth Pedersen and Jack Rezac     

    11th Grade Attendants: Karson Oberender and Jensen Dyer

    12th Grade Queen Candidates: Ellie Baker, Sydney Bears, Aunie Berger, Maryann Hart, Emily Hughes

    12th Grade King Candidates: Nathan Mundil, Gera Berber, Thomas Mundil, Cale Morrow, Jason Fugate

    Congratulations to all of our attendants! They will all be recognized during the Coronation Ceremony and Parade on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

    Schedule of Events – Thursday, October 3, 2024
    4:00pm: Tailgate Fundraiser Dinner (Stadium Concession Stand)

    6:00pm: Homecoming Court Coronation* (Stadium)

    6:30pm: Homecoming Parade

    7:00pm: Ironman Volleyball (HS Gym)

    8:00pm: Powderpuff Football** (Stadium)

    *Rain location: HS Gym

    **In case of inclement weather, a make-up date will be decided pending availability

    There will be a pre-coronation dinner, consisting of either a hamburger, pulled pork sandwich, or brat, chips, drink and a dessert, for $10 that goes towards the MSTM Post Prom.

    Parking at the stadium will not be available to spectators for Coronation and the parade. The gravel parking lot will be used for parade staging purposes only. Those participating in the parade may park in the grass on the west side of the complex. The gravel parking lot will be open to spectators again for the Powderpuff game.

    If you or your organization are interested in having an entry in the homecoming parade, then please contact the Junior High / High School Principal, Jon Fitzpatrick at [email protected].

    Schedule for the Week

    Monday, September 30th

    No School

    4:30pm: JH Volleyball vs. East Union

    Tuesday, October 1st

    All Day “Super Trooper Trio” (Trio Day)

    4:00pm: JH Volleyball @ Pleasantville (Pleasantville High School)

    4:30pm: JH Football vs. Mount Ayr

    5:00pm: JH/Varsity Cross Country @ Clarke Community (East Lake Park, Osceola)

    5:30pm: Varsity Volleyball Triangle vs. Southwest Valley/Wayne (Pink Out Night)

    Wednesday, October 2nd

    All Day “Greek Life vs. Ancient Greeks”

    (Greek Life: 11th, 9th, 7th grade & Ancient Greeks: 12th, 10th, 8th grade)

    Thursday, October 3rd

    All Day “Lei All Your Love on Me” (Beach Day)

    6:00pm: Coronation (Blue Devil Stadium)

    6:30pm: Parade (Start at Blue Devil Stadium)

    7:00pm: Iron Man Volleyball (HS Gym)

    8:00pm: Powder Puff (Blue Devil Stadium)

    Friday, October 4th

    All Day “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme a Win” (Blue Devil Spirit Day)

    2:15pm: Secondary Games (Grades 7-12)

    3:05pm: School-Wide Pep Assembly

    7:00pm: Varsity Football Game vs. BCLUW

    9:30pm: Homecoming Dance (Grades 9-12 only - ending at 11:00 PM)

    Saturday, October 5th

    8:30am: Varsity Volleyball Tournament @ Pleasantville


  • Dex and Family Literacy Night
    Sep 23, 2024

    Family Literacy Night Set for October 8

    Make plans to join us for a night of family FUN reading and writing activities. MSTM will host Family Literacy Night on Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.  All events will take place in the Commons and Cafeteria.

    The schedule for the evening is:

    6:00-6:15: Family Arrival and Check In

    6:15-6:30:  Whole Group Read Aloud - Dex the heart of a hero

    6:30-7:15: Reading and Writing Stations (choose 3)

    ·         Dex Craftivity

    ·         Compare and Contrast Dex vs. Cleevis

    ·         Smack Attack Rhyming Game

    ·         Building Super Words

    ·         Make Your Own Comic Strip

    ·         Word Games and Puzzles

    7:15-7:30: Super Snacks

    Questions about this event?  Reach out to Mrs. Franey at [email protected].


  • Softball Field Layout
    Sep 17, 2024

    Softball Field Relocation, Construction Plan Approved

    At its regular meeting last night, the Board of Directors of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District approved a plan to relocate the Softball Field from the campus of the school building to the area just west of Blue Devil Stadium in Martensdale.

    This work is set to begin in the spring of 2025 and the new field will be first used during the 2026 Softball Season.


  • Did You Know image
    Sep 13, 2024

    Learn More about the November 5 Bond Referendum

    On November 5, 2024, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will ask voters to approve a $15.95 million referendum to fund improvements to the school.

    This project evolved after receiving input from our community and staff regarding the needs of the district. The Facilities Committee, comprised of members of our community, identified these elements that had to be addressed in any plan. The plan had to:

    • Enhance safety and security

    • Drive program and student success

    • Expand opportunities

    • Improve functionality and appearance

    This plan accomplishes these four goals. Learn more at www.mstmbond.com.

    Learn more about the project from these members of our community. Click on the name below to watch a video.

    Sheriff Joe Carico

    Terah and Scott Henson

    Jon Fitzpatrick

    Rana Webster

    Tim Simon

    Dave Ellis

    Bill Denny


  • Nationwide Ride Safe Graphic
    Sep 9, 2024

    MSTM to Host ATV/UTV Safety Event

    On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, students in the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will engage in an event related to ATV and UTV Safety.

    We know that In the last three years, the powersports market — including ATVs and UTVs — has seen dramatic growth. That’s only expected to increase. Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) data projects the $37 billion U.S. industry will almost double to $69 billion in the next decade. And that’s not just for off-road hobbyists.

    Many ATVs and UTVs are workhorses on U.S. farms and ranches. Their utility and power are growing. In some cases, these vehicles are more economical, high-performance and fuel efficient than larger pickups or trucks. The bottom line is ATVs and UTVs are invaluable in helping farmers and ranchers do a lot of jobs. We see these throughout our community, and we know that students, staff, parents, and families utilize these vehicles daily.

    The number of deaths and injuries involving young people on ATVs and UTVs is a major concern. In 2023, the Consumer Federation of America documented 498 OHV fatalities, with children under 15 accounting for 19% of these incidents. Children aged six and under make up a large share of OHV deaths, with some as young as three losing their lives riding an OHV.

    In response to these dangers, Nationwide has partnered with the RideSafe Foundation Powered By BRP to bring resources and education to communities to protect their families, community, and property as part of their new safety campaign: Let’s Champion Rider Safety®. This campaign works to share easy to find resources and advice for safely operating this equipment.

    MSTM students will be the first in Central Iowa to experience this safety event which will include a presentation and hands-on safety activities.

    For more information on the program and for resources you may review at home, view this document:  Let’s Champion Rider Safety


  • Notification Test Graphic
    Sep 9, 2024

    Notification Test Set for September 17

    The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will conduct its annual Notification Test on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 4:00pm.

    At 4:00pm on September 17, we will send a message to families via e-mail, text, and phone utilizing the JMC Messenger System and post notices on our Website, on Facebook, and on X (formerly Twitter).

    This is the system we will utilize to notify stakeholders of emergency situations and weather-related cancellations.

    Individuals who do not receive the notification message and feel they should have been contacted are encouraged to contact Jessica Hart in the Central Office at the school at [email protected].


  • Community Information Sessions Dates
    Sep 5, 2024

    Community Information Sessions Set

    The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will hold three Community Information Sessions to inform the public regarding the upcoming Bond Referendum vote on November 5, 2024.

    These sessions will be held in the Media Center at the school.

    The dates are:

    September 19 - 5:30pm

    October 9 - 5:30pm

    October 28 - 7:00pm

    Each meeting will feature the same content and will take no more than 60 minutes.