Closing a high school or moving to a fifth through eighth grade middle school model are two additional “viable” options for how the Cedar Rapids school district could consolidate and close schools in an effort to reduce at least $6 million more from the district’s annual budget.
More than 200 people turned out Monday at a Cedar Rapids school board meeting — and many spoke against a plan to close up to six elementary schools — but district leaders say school closures are necessary for long-term sustainability while acknowledging the decisions will be “extraordinarily hard.”
Educators are again asking for an increase of 5 percent in funding for Iowa public schools, saying it’s crucial for keeping up with inflation, managing increased operating costs and making up for decades of underfunding amid statewide declining school enrollment.
Leader of Iowa City schools Matt Degner is being recognized as the national 2025 Superintendent of the Year by K-12 Dive for his focus on innovative academic programs at a time of increasing competition for students.
Leaders of Iowa’s K-12 public schools are navigating an increasingly complex job, guiding districts through unprecedented changes such as broader school choice, politicization of schools, heightened public scrutiny and continued pandemic recovery.
More than one out of six K-12 students in Iowa are attending school outside of their neighborhood public school, including enrolling into another public school, a charter school or an accredited non-public school.
As the Cedar Rapids school district faces a decline of 622 students this year, school leaders are asking the community to work with them to develop a strategic plan to increase enrollment and address facility and staffing needs.
Iowa’s 15 community colleges in 2024 made year-over-year enrollment gains in 2024 thanks largely to record joint enrollment by high school students wanting to earn community college credit at no cost to them or their families.
Iowa State University graduate school programs have started rescinding offers to prospective students as departments scramble to respond to funding uncertainties.
After years of declining or stagnant enrollment, aggravated by the 2020 pandemic, Kirkwood Community College is reporting a summer rebound and encouraging signs for a strong fall showing.
Nationally, 59 million people live in rural areas — including 9.7 million high schoolers — compelling 16 colleges and universities to form a new “STARS College Network.” The STARS initiative, which stands for “Small Town and Rural Students,” aims to expand and create new pathways to college for students who might not otherwise plan to attend.
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