CityView to relocate programs to Kirkwood regional center; Iowa Big to move to Economic Alliance, district projects $100,000 annual savings

CityView Community High School leaders told the Cedar Rapids board on Monday that the school will relocate programming to the Kirkwood Linn Regional Center to expand access to internships and dual‑enrollment opportunities and to better align with the school’s work‑based learning model.

Trevor Templeton, CityView lead instructor, said the move is designed to increase students’ access to Kirkwood academies and to enable every CityView student to participate in internships and earn college credit. “As the district evolves, so is CityView,” Templeton said, noting the school’s focus on “active, personalized and real‑world learning.” Presenters said CityView has posted improvements on metrics including ISASP growth and internship participation (presenters cited a 16‑point ELA increase, 19 in math and 26 in science for CityView in the presentation slides) and that internship engagement is substantially higher at CityView than district averages.

District administrators also announced that Iowa Big — a separate program that shares instructional similarities with CityView — will be relocated to the Economic Alliance building downtown. Presenters said the shift results from CityView’s move to Kirkwood and the district’s desire to co‑locate Iowa Big near business partners. Jillian (surname not provided) said the combined moves will reduce district facility costs: by ending the UnityPoint lease and moving Iowa Big to a lower‑cost Economic Alliance space, the district expects more than $100,000 in annual savings from renegotiated leases and lower operating costs.

Board members asked about enrollment, transportation and internships. Presenters said CityView’s target capacity is about 150 students (approximately 50 per grade), with current enrollment of 68 returning students and an applicant pool of 11 for the next year; the district will vet applicants to ensure they meet Kirkwood dual‑enrollment standards. Transportation staff indicated capacity exists to add routes that would bring students to Kirkwood; district staff said they are finalizing routing plans.

Board members asked how the district will recruit internship partners. Presenters said Amanda Zorny (internship coordinator) will expand partnership development, and they invited board members and the business community to support internship recruitment.

Several students testified about CityView’s impact on attendance, engagement and confidence; one student said the school “helped me grow into a more confident and civic minded person.” The board heard that the move aims to preserve CityView’s small‑community approach while leveraging Kirkwood’s facilities and partnerships.

District staff said Iowa Big will be housed on the second floor of the Economic Alliance, that UnityPoint’s temporary support this year concluded and that long‑term co‑location aligns Iowa Big with business partners. Officials said more details on enrollment and internship partnerships will be provided as the relocation is finalized.