The 2025-26 school year is approaching for the Des Moines Area Community College VanKirk Career Academy in Perry, and there are a variety of different courses offered.

Director Eddie Diaz tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the institution provides students with areas of career interest such as industrial technician, welding, teaching, certified nursing assistance (CNA), criminal justice, and liberal arts. He explains that the industrial technician, welding, and CNAs are occupations that see immediate needs in Dallas County. Additionally, Diaz says students can receive their Associates in Arts Degree by the time they graduate high school.

“A lot of students and their parents have really focused on how to accelerate their college credits while in high school, so they can reduce their time in college and also reduce their debt, and so the courses that we offer are a response to that.”

Diaz mentions some of those courses include composition, psychology, biology, and speech. He adds that students will begin the fall semester this Wednesday. Anyone interested in learning more or to sign up for classes can contact the Van Kirk Career Academy at (515)-428-8100.