CityView High School students run project-based learning, plan student coffee cart and community exhibits

CityView High School, a project-based magnet program of the Cedar Rapids Community School District located on the ground floor of the Economic Alliance building in downtown Cedar Rapids, is using internships, community partnerships and small classes to give students hands-on experience, teacher Trevor Templeman and student Allison Klosterman said on the district podcast.

The school’s model centers on self-directed projects and community engagement, Templeman said, and officials are using community partnerships and courses at Kirkwood Community College to expand students’ real-world learning. “We could spend a lot of time with students, engaging in the community more broadly, getting students as often as possible to leave the school building to learn from professionals,” Templeman said.

Why it matters: CityView is intentionally small and designed to offer alternatives to traditional high school coursework for students who want hands-on or self-paced learning. The program’s current enrollment, partnerships and student-led ventures aim to provide work experience, college credit opportunities and community-facing projects that the district says can reduce barriers to postsecondary options.

Current size and goals: Templeman said CityView enrolls about 75 students now and is planned to grow to roughly 150 students—about 50 per grade for sophomores, juniors and seniors—while remaining significantly smaller than other district high schools.

Student experience: Student Allison Klosterman described choosing CityView because she was “comfortable learning on my own and directing my own learning.” She said the school’s flexibility let her complete two years of English (LA 9 and LA 10) in one year and earn social studies credits through projects such as National History Day.

Field trips and civic engagement: Templeman described a recent trip by the CityView Student Council to the Iowa State Capitol. “We met with a couple of legislators, including Molly Donahue,” Templeman said, and students “looked at specific pieces of legislation that were moving through the House and Senate” and asked questions they prepared in class.

Student projects and partnerships: The podcast described multiple ongoing and planned projects. CityView students are collaborating with the Economic Alliance and artist Jennifer Bassett on artwork to display around the city; partnering with local groups on garden and greenhouse work at Kenwood and Grow/Kasemore Farms; and working with the district and outside organizations on marketing and community events. Templeman said Mayor Brad Hart (referred to in the podcast as Mayor O’Donnell) spoke to a small group of students about leadership during a recent visit.

City Brew mobile coffee cart: One of the largest student-led projects is City Brew, a planned student-run coffee operation. Templeman said Amanda Zorny of the Economic Alliance proposed a student-run coffee shop and students pivoted to start with a mobile coffee cart while seeking a permanent location. Students prepared product lists and budgets and plan to build the cart with purchased materials; Templeman said Van Meter provided funding to help build the cart, and the group will pitch the mobile service to local businesses including Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust and Big Grove. The team expected to begin building materials purchases in late March and aimed for the cart to be ready in mid-April, though Templeman noted timelines were subject to change.

College credit and internships: Templeman said CityView students regularly enroll in Kirkwood Community College classes to earn college credit while in high school. He also described internships and community placements: students have worked with local nonprofits, the public health building on science projects, and with city government staff. The school is working with Iowa Big and other community partners to source problems and internships for students.

Exhibition and outreach: CityView plans a public exhibition night on May 28 for the Cedar Rapids community to view student projects, Templeman said. The school is also developing a nascent Parent‑Teacher‑Student Organization (PTSO) and said information on enrollment and the magnet lottery is posted on the district’s CityView page and promoted through the school’s Facebook page.

How to learn more: Templeman advised parents and students to visit the Cedar Rapids Community School District website (thecrschools.us) or the CityView Facebook page for magnet lottery details, or to contact him by email through the district for more information.

Ending: CityView’s leaders framed the school as an option for students who want smaller classes, project-based learning, community internships and pathways to college credit. Templeman said the program’s structure is intentional “so we can make sure that we're learning everywhere all the time,” and students and staff described multiple community-facing projects already underway.