Xavier High adds on-campus architecture, construction and engineering program

CEDAR RAPIDS — Xavier High School is launching an architecture, construction and engineering program this fall focused on bringing industry experience to students.

The program adds an on-campus opportunity for students interested in the industrial technology field. Almost 700 students attend the private 9-12th grade school in Cedar Rapids.

“We are always searching for ways to better prepare our students for what lies beyond high school while continuing to maintain a learning environment that inspires engagement with their faith, learning and community,” said Lynn Holverson, Xavier High School principal.

  Buy Photo

The introduction of the architecture, construction and engineering course will be a foundational piece of the school’s ACE Career & Vocational Pathway, according to a news release. The pathways are career-focused classes where students can earn high school and college credit and have internships in the areas of digital arts and communication, business, health care, computer science and engineering and ministry.

The program will focus on industry-specific workforce development and vocational awareness for high school students through a combination of on-campus, hands-on instruction in the classroom and real-world experience off-campus with business partners in the industry.

“Launching the Xavier ACE program is a reaffirmation that Xavier is a place where all students are encouraged and guided to become the best versions of themselves … regardless of whether their vocational path beyond high school leads them to college, the workforce or other directions,” the release states.

The addition of the Xavier ACE program comes as more schools in Iowa are adding college and career readiness programs with the goal of graduating students who are better prepared for life after high school by exposing them to future careers.

The largest neighboring public school system — the Cedar Rapids Community School District — is creating college and career academies at high schools starting with freshman academies launching in fall 2025.

The Iowa City Community School District is exploring how to deliver project-based learning opportunities to students with its new Center for Innovation where students can explore their career options after high school. Classes could be piloted this fall.

Enrollment for Xavier ACE already is at capacity with students on the waiting list for the 2025-26 school year. There are 45 students enrolled in the class first and second semester of this coming academic year.

  Buy Photo

Xavier has hired David Schubert to serve as the school’s first industrial technology teacher. He has 34 years of experience teaching skilled trades in school districts across Iowa, most recently in the West Des Moines Community School District.

While there, Schubert implemented student apprenticeship programs in welding and manufacturing at businesses including John Deere, Vermeer, Collins Aerospace, Quality Manufacturing, CemenTech and NCS.

He also helped design the West Des Moines school district’s 30,000-square-foot career and technical education addition that features computerized numerical control — or CNC — manufacturing, welding and robotics.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com