Drake University has announced the launch of a new Master of Science in Montessori Education program that is designed to support teachers within Des Moines Public Schools. The three-year agreement with DMPS is exclusive to Drake University and will serve a new cohort of at least 20 current DMPS teachers each year for the next three years, beginning this fall. The new program aims to address the need for more Montessori-certified educators in Des Moines following the recent announcement that DMPS will transition Jackson Elementary to a Montessori school, making it the fourth Montessori program for the school district. Montessori education emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world skills rather than formal teaching methods. Fall 2025 enrollees who complete the program will graduate in December 2027, earning a Master of Science in Education in Montessori Education from Drake University and a MACTE-accredited Certificate in Montessori Education through the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector.