Cedar Rapids schools awarded nearly $15 million to support career readiness program

CEDAR RAPIDS — Nearly $15 million in federal grant funds awarded to the Cedar Rapids Community School District will be used to support its college and career readiness programs that graduate students better prepared for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers.

The school district is one of only 12 in the nation — and the only recipient in Iowa — to be awarded nearly $15 million over the next five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program, according to a Wednesday news release.

The district will receive about $6.5 of this funding immediately to launch its Future Ready College & Career Academies at Washington and Jefferson high schools next fall. With this funding, the Cedar Rapids district will invest in state-of-the-art technology, innovative equipment, and hands-on learning experiences that will connect students with industry-leading careers, according to the release.

  Buy Photo

“With this grant, we will be able to accelerate our partnerships with local businesses and industries, helping to prepare our students for college, the workforce, and active participation in the community,” Superintendent Tawana Grover said in the release.

The exact grant amount is $14,999,330.

Ninth Grade Freshman Academies will be the first to launch for the 2025-26 school year. Three career pathway-specific academies will launch for 10th-12th graders for the 2026-27 school year.

The college and career academies are considered magnet programming, which is theme-based learning in a public school. There already are several elementary and middle school magnet programs in the Cedar Rapids district with themes that include sustainability, science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) and leadership.

“We are proud to expand our magnet program into Washington and Jefferson high schools, creating smaller, career-connected learning communities that will empower students with industry-recognized credentials by the time they graduate,” said Adam Zimmermann, Executive Director of Innovation for the Cedar Rapids district. “This initiative is about more than just preparing students for what comes after high school — it’s about equipping them to excel at every step of their journey.”

The district’s third traditional high school, Kennedy, will offer a slightly different version of college and career education, called pathways. Pathways are series of three or more courses with a specific college and career focus. Students in a pathway can take courses alongside peers with broader career interests for a more traditional high school experience. The Kennedy program will not receive funding through the grant.

A portion of the grant also will support professional development, ensuring that Cedar Rapids schools staff are equipped to lead this transformation and inspire the next generation of learners.

Families of students participating in Future Ready College & Career Academies will “witness their children’s growth as they explore exciting career paths and gain valuable skills and certifications,” according to the news release.

Community partners will help shape the next generation’s workforce by collaborating with schools to create “meaningful learning experiences,” according to the release.

“With opportunities for rigorous, career-aligned education and postsecondary success, we are leading our students, staff, and community toward a brighter, more empowered future,” said Jillian Schulte, director of magnet programming for the district.

This isn’t the first time the Cedar Rapids district has received the Magnet School Assistance Program grant. The district received $14.8 million to be distributed over five years from the grant program in 2022.

The grant helped support the district in launching City View Community High School, its first magnet high school, which opened in the fall of 2023. The grant also helped fund projects at several of the district’s other five magnet schools.

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