Academics

Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Spaces for Learning and Growth

It is imperative that students feel safe at school in order to learn and grow. Cedar Rapids Prep provides a calm and supportive learning environment that enables students to be their best. Our staff receives extensive training for building a positive classroom community, which ensures all students know they are supported, safe, and a valued member of our school.

Being part of a community helps students feel like they belong. We work with students through advisory sessions to help them find their community within the school, based on interests and skills. We require uniforms as a daily reminder that students are part of our broader school community working towards common goals. Uniforms also serve as an equalizer, and keep students focused on what matters most.

We expect students to meet attendance, engagement, and achievement goals and we monitor their progress weekly. These behaviors are reinforced through “shout outs” communicated to students and families to show their achievements are noticed and appreciated. We also track progress towards grade-level outcomes, community service hours, and portfolio completion on a quarterly basis.

Physical safety is also a top priority at Cedar Rapids Prep. We offer mandatory training for all faculty and staff on safety and security protocols and crisis prevention intervention (CPI). Additional safety practices include secure exterior doors, a monitored entranceway, strong hallway supervision, exterior cameras, and regular fire and tornado drills.

Academic Excellence

Academic excellence is at the heart of everything we do at Cedar Rapids Prep. We provide a college prep experience, complete with high academic expectations and rigor as well as opportunities for students to develop the skills and habits they need to succeed.

Upon enrollment, students complete a comprehensive set of assessments that show how they are performing in relation to grade-level standards. This information, along with dialogue with students and families, helps us create a personalized schedule that meets the unique needs of each learner. Students requiring additional support have access to appropriate coursework and staff with intensive training in bridging gaps in learning. Conversely, students at grade level and beyond will have access to advanced curricular options that challenge them and push them to reach their full potential.

Our curriculum includes coursework that focuses on goal setting, financial literacy, college exploration, and opportunities for students to better understand their strengths and interests. Leveraging our small school feel, the teachers foster this growth and help tailor the learning experience to each individual student.

In addition, each student is paired with an advisor who remains with them throughout their time at our school. The advisor fosters a strong relationship with each student they are matched with, learning about the student’s strengths, interests, and goals. Through this relationship, the advisor supports the student in selecting appropriate courses, clubs and experiences, as well as tracking progress toward their goals. They also serve as the student’s point of contact for both academic and social needs, and as the primary point of contact for families. This ensures that every parent has a trusted partner at the school who will advocate for their child.

This comprehensive approach ensures all students leave our school with multiple college acceptance letters and the skills necessary to lead ambitious and purpose-driven lives. At Cedar Rapids Prep, our students are more than a number. They are the future of our community and we are committed to helping them maximize their potential.

Student-Driven Learning

At Cedar Rapids Prep, we know that students learn and grow best when they are actively engaged. Engagement is more than mere participation—it’s about ownership, investment, and taking the lead in the learning process. We create the conditions for students to thrive and hold ourselves accountable by assessing engagement in every class, every day.

We take an evidence-based approach to increase student engagement and ownership of learning:

• Clear Goals and Expectations: We establish clear and well-aligned targets for assessments, milestones, and daily lessons, enabling students to drive their learning forward.
• Autonomy and Choice: Our students are empowered to make choices and decisions about their learning and future with the necessary support.
• Collaboration: Students learn how to collaborate effectively with peers, teachers, professionals, and community partners.
• Real-World Connections and Skills: We help students make connections to prior knowledge and experiences, and apply their new learning to actual problems and situations in our community.
• Feedback and Reflection: Students reflect on where they are, where they’re going, and how to get there. Then they take action.

Leadership

Students participate in service leadership opportunities that encourage them to be active members of their communities. All students spend a minimum of 10 hours each year engaged in community service, college and career exploration, as well as extracurriculars. We are thoughtful about our volunteer program, ensuring students get opportunities to grow and hone their leadership skills. We also work to develop a love of community in our students by instilling in them the importance of getting involved and making a difference, right in Cedar Rapids.