In 2015, the City Council adopted the Policy on Installation of 25 MPH School Speed Zones following a request from the Ankeny Community School District and review by City staff. Five new school speed limit zones were established in 2016. 

In 2022, the Public Works Department completed the Elementary School Walkability Study, with observations of pedestrian activity and conditions during school arrival and dismissal periods at all ten public elementary schools in the City. Based on the findings, preliminary recommendations were developed and vetted with Ankeny Community School District and Ankeny Police Department representatives to finalize the study's recommendations. The primary modification to the Policy in 2022 was the focus on locating school speed zones on the approach to designated school crosswalks with trained crossing guards, and expanding the use of school zone speed limits to fifteen (15) MPH speed zones on collector or local streets. School speed zones associated with school crosswalks on arterial streets are twenty-five (25) MPH. Special speed limits are not utilized at or near intersections with all-way STOP control or signalized control, and part-time/ roll-out/ flip-down STOP signs are not used. The update was implemented on City streets in summer 2022.

The proposed 2023 update of the Policy will allow consideration of the above special speed zones at designated school crosswalks for both public and private elementary schools in Ankeny.