Economic Alliance Welcomes City View Community High School Into Our Downtown Location
March 1, 2023 | Community Development, Economic Development & Workforce
Valued members, as you know, a focused mission of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has always been to unite the community in as many facets as possible. That being said, we are thrilled to announce we will be opening our doors to welcome Cedar Rapids Community School District’s new magnet high school, City View Community High School, to our downtown location for the 2023-2024 school year.
The location was revealed during a presentation to the School Board on Monday, February 27th. Incorporating high school students with the local community benefits both parties, especially when it comes to workforce initiatives. Business leaders including Lura McBride from Van Meter and Hugh Ekberg from CRST have participated on the announcements this week on behalf of a supportive business community. Already more than a dozen Economic alliance member employers are signed on as partners with City View, with more to come.
“We are looking forward to welcoming City View High School into our downtown location,” said Doug Neumann, executive director of the Economic Alliance. “Integrating high school students into the business community not only furthers real-world education but allows the students to see what our community has to offer them after graduation.”
The school district was awarded a $14.8 million federal Magnet School Assistance Program grant last year to expand and enhance the magnet school program. City View Community High School students will have a non-traditional school day filled with community projects, workshops, classes, job shadows and internships. Students will work alongside local businesses and community leaders experiencing a rigorous and personalized learning experience so they have a plan, a pathway, and a passion for their future in the workforce, trades or college/university.
What’s certain is the Economic Alliance isn’t going anywhere. Staff will be moving operations to the second floor of the building and will share some common meeting spaces on the first floor with City View Community High School, as well as continuing to host some public and business events on the first floor. Staff will also be exploring other public spaces to utilize at times when needed. It’s an opportunity for us to even further integrate ourselves and our operations into the business community.
Participation of businesses allows the students to see what our community has to offer them after graduation. We want these excited and vibrant young minds to stay in our community, to see the potential their community offers and be the future of a thriving workforce in our area. The future looks compelling, new and exciting for the Economic Alliance and City View Community High School as we head into this new adventure together.