Community Links

Kent Sorenson - State Representative House District 74
Staci Appel - Senate District 37 - Email: staci.appel@legis.state.ia.us

Indianola, a growing community of more than 13,000 residents, is a great place to visit, live and work! It offers a rural setting while situated close to the greater Des Moines metro area. In addition to having excellent schools, low crime and affordable taxes, it is the home to Simpson College, Des Moines Metro Opera, the National Balloon Museum and the National Balloon Classic. It has many parks, a new aquatic center, a new sports complex, and a strong recreational program. Indianola has much to offer both prospective residents and businesses, located 12 miles South of Des Moines. With the newly completed Hwy 5 bypass, Indianola has convenient access to major Interstate Highways 35 and 80, and is accessible to Des Moines facilities, including shopping, state government offices, civic and cultural opportunities.

The Indianola School District, composed of pre-kindergarten through senior high, supports more than 3,200 students. The district is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors and covers 155 square miles of Warren County. Elementary schools contain pre-kindergarten through grade five and offer programs in art, music, physical education, and special education. The Middle School, built in 1996, houses 750 students, grades six through eight, is arranged in three grade level academic wings ant a "go to" wing for exploratory courses. Indianola High School, grades nine through twelve, serves almost 1,000 students and offers over 150 courses ranging from college preparatory and advanced placement  courses to courses for special needs students.

Located in the heart of Indianola community, Simpson College, a small four year liberal arts institution offers academic excellence. The college offers its more than 1,200 full-time students a variety of majors and opportunities in more than 41 career paths. Simpson's cultural and economic benefits and education, help round out Indianola's quality of life. Conferences and catered events bring hundreds of visitors to Simpson each year. Guest lecturer, cultural events and the Farnham Gallery are all open to the public. Founded by members of the Iowa Methodist Church in 1860, Simpson has a seventy-five acre campus with 34 major buildings. Simpson was named one of the Midwestern colleges in 2003 by U.S. News.

Des Moines Metro Opera, founded in 1973 by Robert L. Larsen, is the largest performing arts organization in the state of Iowa. One of the most popular events each year is the Des Moines Metro Opera productions. Each festival season, three grand operas are produced and performed in English in the intimate 500 seat Blank Performing Arts Center on the Simpson College Campus. Over the course of its history, the Des Moines Metro Opera has become one of America's most popular and successful summer opera festivals. The Des Moines Metro Opera, ranked 20th in the world by Money Magazine, continues its unwavering commitment to the mission and philosophy of its founders by operating a progressive opera company with a national reputation that fosters the excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts.

The city's slogan, "Come See What's Up in Indianola" refers to its status as host of the annual National Hot Air Balloon Classic. Each summer, pilots compete for cash and prizes. Share the excitement with the competitors as they descend from the sky and drop their markers over the target area. Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the mass ascension and the Nite-Glo extravaganza. Also included in the week long event are the Arts and Crafts Festival and the Annual Balloon Classic parade. Indianola is also proud to be home to one of the few hot air ballooning museums in the world. This contemporary building of unusual design houses a collection of ballooning artifacts and memorabilia depicting the history of hot air and gas ballooning. See actual balloons, photographs, trophies and other fine collector's pieces representative of this unique American sport. The museum also offers a wonderful selection of ballooning gifts, keepsakes and collectables.