College Community Schools announces the appointment of Holly Palmersheim as the first Principal of the 9th Grade Center.
The 9th Grade Center (currently 9th Grade Academy) will open in the fall of 2024 as the final phase of the District’s 10-Year Facilities Plan created a decade ago to address growing student enrollment. To accommodate growth, ensure efficient operations, and enhance opportunities, 9th graders and Prairie Delta will move to the existing Prairie Creek Intermediate building in the fall of 2024. Renovations to the current Creek building will begin at the conclusion of this school year and end in summer of 2024.
Palmersheim has served as Associate Principal at both Prairie Point Middle School and Prairie Creek since 2018. During her tenure at College Community, she has been instrumental in overseeing special education programming, expanding intervention opportunities and homeroom into all 9th grade schedules, and offering a summer health option to incoming 9th grade students. Throughout her 22 years of experience in education, she has also facilitated and led a variety of professional learning opportunities to support students and staff.
“We are excited for our 9th grade students to have expanded opportunities in their first year of high school through this move,” said Superintendent Dr. Doug Wheeler. “Holly is a dynamic and innovative leader who will ensure students have a solid foundation as they begin their 4-year journey toward graduation through programming and opportunities designed for 9th grade students.”
Palmersheim, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earned her undergraduate degree in Math from the University of Northern Iowa, and two master’s degrees (Counseling and Educational Leadership) from Drake University.
“I am excited about the opportunities our district is implementing to support student exploration and pathways to be future ready,” said Palmersheim. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with the 9th grade team the past couple of years and am looking forward to continuing our work with an outstanding group of educators.”
Holly and her husband Dustin have two children, Kendall who is an 8th grader at Prairie Point and Tyler who is a 2nd grader at Prairie Hill Elementary School.