Known as a person
Students should be known by adults who understand their strengths, struggles, pace, and personality.
About Main Street
A small school built around real relationships
Main Street School is a nonprofit private school in Norwalk, Iowa. We create a more personal, flexible school experience for young people who learn best when adults can know them well.
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Our mission
Known, challenged, and connected
We want students to become more fully themselves and use what they learn with care, confidence, and purpose.
Learning with a purpose
Work should be hands-on, connected to real questions, and strong enough to matter beyond an assignment.
Part of a community
School should help young people become thoughtful community members, not only complete coursework.
Our story
From ASK Learning Center to Main Street School
The school has carried two names. Its story begins with ASK Learning Center and continues today as Main Street School.
August 2006
ASK Learning Center begins
Main Street School began in August 2006 as ASK Learning Center, founded by Tanya Apana.
Today
Main Street School in Norwalk
The school now carries the Main Street School name at 925 Main St, Norwalk, Iowa 50211.
Beyond the schoolhouse
Learning reaches into the community
School-published photos show Main Street students walking prairie trails, gathering at local sites, and meeting community helpers around Norwalk. Learning is not confined to a desk or a single room.
The setting changes, but the group stays small enough to move together and look closely at what is in front of them. The gallery gives families a concrete view of those shared days beyond the schoolhouse.
See school life in photos
Independent accreditation
Accountable to an external standard
The Iowa Department of Education lists Main Street School as an independently accredited nonpublic school, with the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) as its accrediting agency.
View Iowa's nonpublic school directory (opens in a new tab)