The College Community School District hosted Superintendents and other administrators championing dynamic programs April 23-25, as part of AASA, the School Superintendents Association’s 2023 Spring Meeting.
Hosting this conference allowed College Community Schools to highlight our Culinary Arts, Special Education, Student Built House, Internships, and Agriculture programs. It was also an opportunity for school leaders from across the country to learn about our partnerships with iJAG, Kirkwood Community College, Junior Achievement, ICR Future, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, and the Workplace Learning Connection. Conference attendees also heard from administrators at Prairie Point Middle School and our Early Childhood Center and toured our new 5-6 building.
“One of the greatest opportunities educators have is to plant dreams into the minds of our students and their families and then nurture those dreams to fruition—that is one of the most empowering pieces of the Redefining Ready! work,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “We have to prepare students for a world that doesn’t exist and one that we cannot imagine. I applaud the superintendents and other administrators who are convening in Iowa for this important meeting which will provide AASA members with opportunities to share winning strategies on behalf of the students they serve.”
“Students are more than a test score,” said Dr. Doug Wheeler, College Community Schools Superintendent. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our high school students are college, career and life ready. District leaders observed multiple pathways we are offering to Prairie students that will provide them with a solid foundation that will benefit their experiences beyond high school graduation. We were honored to serve as host site for this gathering.”
Critical themes throughout the three-day meeting included:
- Education training partnerships with area colleges and businesses
- Academy and pathway programs for career exploration
- Supporting transition for students with special needs
- Celebrating early childhood programming
- Course imbedded career exploration
- Workplace learning opportunities outside of school.
About the College Community School District
The College Community School District’s programs are located on an 860 acre site on the SW side of Cedar Rapids. The central campus site is unique for a district our size and source of great pride. The Prairie campus consists of five elementary schools (K-4), an intermediate school (5-6), middle school (7-9), high school (10-12), Early Childhood Center, and three off-site programs. The College Community School District serves 5,800 students from Linn, Benton, and Johnson counties. The 137 square mile district includes the cities of Ely, Fairfax, Shueyville, Swisher, Walford and SW Cedar Rapids.
