City View High School Year Two: New Curriculum, New Opportunity

City View High School Year Two: New Curriculum, New Opportunity

August 21, 2024 | Community Development, Downtown Cedar Rapids, Economic Development & Workforce

If you have ever visited us at 501 First St. SE, you may have noticed that the building is a bit…unorthodox. Nestled on the banks of the Cedar River, this three-story concrete cylinder, framed by glass panes perfect for displaying movie posters, once housed an IMAX theater. Today, the space is home to three organizations advocating for a brighter Cedar Rapids: City View High School, Iowa BIG, and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. These three entities share both a building and a unique collaborative relationship.

City View High School is no ordinary school. As a satellite high school with a progressive approach to education, it is redefining what it means to prepare students for the real world. City View emphasizes experiential learning, where students actively engage with their surroundings, gaining hands-on experience that bridges the gap between education and professional life. The school operates on the ground floor of the building, while the Economic Alliance is a floor above. This proximity is more than just convenient; it symbolizes the close-knit relationship between education, workforce and economic development.

Last year was City View's first year in the building. For its debut year, the school hosted a freshman class and a sophomore class. As those students become sophomores and juniors this school year, a new freshman class will be introduced. This process will repeat itself until all four grade levels are present. City View is also one of many schools participating in Iowa BIG, a regional, project-based public-school initiative born in Cedar Rapids. Because the same leadership runs City View and Iowa BIG, City View reflects the model of Iowa BIG and other innovative high schools.

Iowa BIG's philosophy is rooted in the belief that "Learning and performing in context is the best way to retain and develop knowledge, understanding, and ability to make things happen." This statement is not just a motto; it is a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of their approach to education. Iowa BIG is committed to "Unleashing human potential" by immersing students in the Cedar Rapids community early, encouraging them to build connections and lay down roots to grow into future leaders. They do so using a project-based learning system, where students elect to research, experience, and create based on topics that pique their interests. Today, Iowa BIG supports 100 students from five different area high schools.

Some exciting new things are being implemented at City View this school year, one being an internship program for students. Generated from what has worked in other innovative schools across the country, each City View student will be in an internship at a local business or organization for two mornings a week.

Each student will choose an opportunity from an internship pool of local openings, or network to find their own in an area of interest. Students will work offsite with local organizations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11 am. From opportunities like organizing and researching artifacts at The History Center to working in the distribution center at Van Meter, there will be a chance for every student to get involved.

City View is also launching its City View Academy this school year, with plans to offer even more opportunities for students to engage with the business community. Every City View student will go through the Academy, learning professional skills such as effective communication, resume writing, and interview skills. This program also implements weekly site visits to organizations in Cedar Rapids' key industry clusters, such as healthcare, engineering, or technology. By immersing students in these industries, the Academy gives them a firsthand look at the diverse career opportunities in their backyard.

The relationship between City View, Iowa BIG, and the Economic Alliance is a strategic partnership shaping the future of Cedar Rapids. By working together, we are building a stronger community today and laying the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous workforce and community for tomorrow.

Interested in partnering with City View or Iowa BIG? Please contact Sarah Lam.

For more about City View, visit: https://cityview.crschools.us/
To learn all about Iowa BIG, visit https://iowabig.org/

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