Press Kit

It’s a public and tuition-free school. Charter schools provide choices beyond traditional public schools and are created and governed by private organizations, such as Opportunity Education.

No. Like any public school in Iowa, public charter schools are free to all students.

There are no academic prerequisites or selection criteria. Students must be a resident of the state of Iowa. Cedar Rapids Prep welcomes all students who have a passion for learning and a desire to grow academically and personally.

We offer a rigorous academic experience rooted in nearly two decades of work focused on active, engaged learning. Our approach to learning is based on the belief that students learn best when they are active and engaged in the learning process, motivated by the ability to choose and make decisions, and receive effective feedback. These tenets form the foundation of the curriculum and programs offered at each of our schools.

The school will be opening in August 2025 with sixth and seventh grades and a waitlist for eighth grade. If we have enough interest, we will add eighth grade in August 2025 as well. We will continue adding one grade per year until the school is fully enrolled in grades six through 12.

No. None of our schools have any religious nor political affiliation. We encourage open dialogue where students can explore and exchange ideas.

Admission is open to all students and operates on a non-selective, lottery-driven basis. If you would like your student to be considered for enrollment, visit our Application page and submit your student’s name and contact information, along with parent or guardian details.

Our application process is open from February 1, 2025 through March 31, 2025. Grade-level enrollment will be capped at 150 students per grade. If the number of applications exceeds this number, a blind lottery will occur to select students. If students are not selected during the initial lottery, they will be placed on a waitlist. Families will be notified by email when their application has been accepted.

After receiving notification of acceptance, you will be invited to complete the enrollment package online. Submitting the enrollment forms by the deadline will secure your student’s spot at Cedar Rapids Prep.

Opportunity Education has been working in education for 20 years, including the launch of two schools in 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska and Santa Rosa, California. We are now expanding our impact with the launch of Des Moines Prep and Cedar Rapids Prep in 2025. Additional locations to follow.