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Innovative Education
6Theme-based magnet schools
College & Career Meetings

*Please note that this program is continuing to be developed, and it will evolve as we engage with our students, staff, families, and community. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

Community Information Sessions

Cedar Rapids Community School District is excited to invite you to a College and Career Pathways Informational Meeting to learn about the innovative transformation coming to Cedar Rapids Community School District high schools.

Starting with the current 8th-grade class, our high schools will transition to a new Academy Structure. This model is designed to enhance students’ opportunities to engage in college and career readiness curriculum while developing transferable skills for the workforce, military, or college. These new pathways will provide students with a supportive and focused learning environment, with opportunities to earn college credits or industry-recognized certifications. Current 9th–12th grade students will continue with their current academic plans.

We encourage you and your student to attend one of our informational sessions to learn more about:

  • Freshman Academy coming in 25-26 school year
  • The College & Career Pathways Model
  • How this approach prepares students for success
  • Scheduling and class offerings
  • How this approach benefits ALL students
  • Opportunities for questions and answers

Your Future, Your Choice: Discover your path with CRCSD

Connecting college and career connected learning to a personal “WHY”. Create shared understanding around how we will achieve college and career success.

CRCSD’s vision is Every Learner. Future Ready. CRCSD’s mission is to ensure all learners experience a rigorous and personalized learning experience so they have a plan, a pathway, and a passion for their futures.

It all starts with our Portrait of a Future Ready Graduate.

Portrait of a Future Graduate graphic.

The Vision

The Why, Graduate College & Career Ready Students. CRCSD wants to ensure every student is equipped, empowered, and engaged to excel in life beyond high school.

The How, empower futures through real-world learning. Engaging students with career-focused education and hands-on experiences in smaller, themed learning communities, connecting school to future college and career goals.

The What, transferable skills & increased achievement. CRCSD students will graduate with more than a diploma. They will graduate with industry-recognized credentials, Advanced placement/college credit, work-based learning, and employability skills.

For Whom, Everyone. College & Career Pathways are intentionally designed to provide access for all students.

Impact Measures graphic

College and Career Pathways provide a structured approach to education that significantly enhances students’ academic achievement, boosts high school graduation rates, and prepares students more effectively for college, careers, and life.

Through targeted coursework and hands-on experiences, students gain industry certifications and college credits, helping them graduate with valuable, marketable skills.

This approach not only strengthens our community’s talent pipeline but also positions students for greater future earning potential, building a foundation for both personal success and a more prosperous community.

At its design core, the principles behind this design:

  • Relationships – Small Learning Communities
  • High Rigor – College preparatory curriculum with an industry-infused theme
  • High Relevance – Partnerships with employers, the community, and postsecondary institutions
  • High Reward – Graduating with a diploma and more

In each of our High Schools there would be several academies that high school students can navigate.

CCPAcademies112024

Check out this CRCSD universal elements of College and Career Pathways.

Universal Elements of CCP

Freshman Academy – beginning Fall 2025

At each of our five high schools, 9th grade students would be part of freshman academies. CRCSD plans to roll these academies out in the Fall of 2025. Freshman students would still take their core classes creating the foundation of future learning. So what would a schedule look like for these students.

Freshman College and Career Pathway Schedule
Freshman year schedule

After Freshman Academy, Upper Academy Schedules

What would a “typical” schedule look like for students after their freshman year academy is complete. What would it look like for a sophomore, junior, or senior?

Sophomore College and Career Pathway Schedule
Sophomore year schedule
Junior College and Career Pathway Schedule
Junior year schedule
Senior College and Career Pathway Schedule
Senior year schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions, please submit them

Our Engaged Community Partners

We are not going down this path alone. We have engaged with these community partners to provide opportunities for students. We look to grow this list, as we provide meaningful growth areas for students.

CCPpartners

Our Timeline & Next Steps (tentative)

December 2024:
Monday, December 2 | 5:30–7:00 PM | Kennedy High School Cafeteria
Tuesday, December 3 | 5:30–7:00 PM | Jefferson High School Library
Thursday, December 5 | 6:00–7:30 PM | Washington High School Library
August 2025: Launch Freshman Academy
January 2026: Pathway Selection Process for Upper Schools & Academies
August 2026: Launch Upper Schools & Academies