Get Involved

WATERLOO COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP SHAPE NEW HIGH SCHOOL IDENTITY
WATERLOO, IA – February 24, 2025 – The Waterloo Community School District (WCSD) is inviting community members to play a key role in shaping the identity of the new high school, set to open for the 2028-29 school year. Residents, alumni, and students are encouraged to participate in selecting the school’s mascot and colors, helping to create a meaningful and distinctive representation of the Waterloo community.

“The opening of a brand-new high school is an exciting opportunity to shape a bold identity that reflects the heart and spirit of our community,” said Emily Frederick, Director of School and Community Relations. “We welcome all ideas and look forward to engaging with the public in this creative process.”
Community members can submit their mascot and color ideas by completing a form available at https://tinyurl.com/WaterlooMascot.

To further engage the public, WCSD will host two community meetings at the Waterloo Career Center, located at 1348 Katoski Drive, in Waterloo:
● Thursday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM
● Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM

These meetings will provide an opportunity for attendees to share ideas, collaborate with others, and contribute to the identity of the new school. Josh Paxton of Paxton Creative will facilitate the discussions and input-gathering process.

A selection committee will review all submissions and narrow them down to three final mascot and color combinations. The community will then have the opportunity to vote on the finalists in late spring, with the final decision requiring approval from the WCSD Board of Education.

The selection process will conclude with a special unveiling event in the fall, where the new mascot and colors will be officially announced. This event will serve as a celebration of the community’s collective efforts and mark the beginning of an exciting new era for Waterloo’s future high school.

WCSD encourages all interested individuals to participate in this important process and help create a lasting symbol of pride for students and the broader community.

More information can be found at WaterlooSchools.org/bridging-futures/.
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WCSD SEEKS COMMUNITY INPUT FOR NEXT PHASE OF HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
WATERLOO, IA – February 4, 2025 – The Waterloo Community School District (WCSD) is thrilled to invite the community, alumni, students, staff, and parents to be an integral part of building a unified high school campus. Following the successful November 6th vote to consolidate Waterloo East and Waterloo West High Schools, WCSD is embarking on several initiatives to ensure the new school honors the district’s rich history while creating a modern and inspiring learning environment.

“This project has always been about creating a lasting investment in Waterloo’s future,” said Dr. Jared Smith, Superintendent. “The community’s support after the vote tells us we’re moving in the right direction. We’re building more than just a school—we’re creating a place where students can grow, explore their potential, and gain the skills they need to thrive in today’s world.”

On Monday, January 27, WCSD Board of Education was presented with a timeline of the high school project. Most notable on the timeline for the coming months is the launch of three key community input projects:

• New High School Mascot and Colors Campaign: This initiative will engage the community in selecting a new mascot and school colors that represent the unified spirit of the district.

• Hall of Pride – Athletics Area: This project will honor the rich athletic history of both former high schools, celebrating the achievements of past and present student-athletes.

• Performing Arts Center: This project will focus on creating state-of-the-art facilities for the district’s performing arts programs, including a new auditorium and spaces for instrumental and vocal instruction.

The first of the three projects, New High School Mascot and Colors Campaign, will launch on February 4, 2025. Launch dates for the Hall of Pride and Performing Arts Center will be announced later this winter. Community input is crucial to the success of all of these projects. WCSD encourages all stakeholders to participate by visiting https://tinyurl.com/WCSDGetInvolved and filling out an interest form.

The new high school campus will serve 10th through 12th-grade students and will be co-located with the Waterloo Career Center (WCC), making it the only high school in Iowa to offer on-site career and technical education for every student. The project will be funded through the state’s 1% sales tax, known as the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE), which supports school infrastructure.

WCSD is committed to transparency and community engagement throughout the planning and construction phases. More updates and opportunities for community involvement will be shared as the project progresses. Visit WaterlooSchools.org/Bridging-Futures/ for more information.

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