WCSD RELEASES RENDERINGS FOR POTENTIAL HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
Waterloo, Iowa – April 25, 2024 – The Waterloo Community School District (WCSD) is excited to unveil three preliminary renderings that showcase the potential design of a unified high school campus for its secondary students. The renderings offer a glimpse into what could be a historic change for the district and community.
On December 11, 2023, WCSD Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to engage INVISION Architecture of Waterloo to work with the district to conduct a comprehensive exploration of the educational needs of WCSD’s secondary students.
The motion, presented by Dr. Jared Smith, Superintendent of Waterloo Schools, authorized a high school steering committee made up of district leadership, board members, and building principals to collaborate with INVISION Architecture. The group was tasked with exploring innovative solutions aimed at providing high school students with equitable educational offerings, extracurricular activities, and career and technical opportunities.The exploration included determining the feasibility of merging Waterloo’s high schools onto one campus.
“Conversations regarding the consolidation of our high schools have been ongoing since 2012,” noted Dr. Smith. “Our current board displayed exceptional leadership by passing a motion to prioritize our students, underscoring their bold commitment to exploring and addressing the true needs of our district.”
Since December, the steering committee has engaged in collaborative efforts with department chairs, teachers, staff, and specialized user groups, including those focused on alternative learning, media, performing arts, special education, student services, and athletics.
These discussions included detailed analyses and extensive research while addressing questions and concerns regarding the feasibility and logistics of the project. In particular, the district has carefully assessed various factors and determined that the optimal site for such integration would be adjacent to the Waterloo Career Center (WCC), situated at 1348 Katoski Drive in Waterloo.
“It has become increasingly clear to us that the current age and structure of our high schools, spread out across three campuses, has limited our ability to provide our students with the same access to opportunities,” stated Dr. Smith. “The most glaring example of this can be found in the current barriers that prohibit the majority of our students from accessing the Waterloo Career Center.”
Since its opening, the WCC has served as an invaluable resource for students, offering career and technical education (CTE), internships, apprenticeships, and direct connection with industry experts. Statistics show that students who have access to the career center earn higher grade point averages, have better attendance, and are more likely to have a plan post-graduation than their peers.
Currently, scheduling and transportation prohibits the majority of high school students from accessing the WCC. The current distance between Waterloo’s high schools and the WCC vastly diminish the amount of students who can take advantage of the benefits of the center.
While garnering the expertise of educational professionals has been critical, the district also extended invitations to the community to provide input. “It has been paramount for us to harness the invaluable expertise and insights from our staff and community,” emphasized Amy Schmidt, WCSD’s Director of Secondary Education. “We deeply value the collaborative spirit that has characterized our efforts thus far, recognizing that collective input enriches our decision-making process. We firmly believe that together, we are stronger, and every voice matters.”
Recently, the district announced that Expo High School will relocate to the new extension of the WCC, referred to as the WCCX. This move will take place prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year. “At the new campus, Expo High School students will have access to an abundance of resources and career opportunities, fostering collaboration and enriching their education,” shared Cary Wieland, Expo High School Principal.
On July 8, 2024, Dr. Smith, with the support of the high school steering committee, will recommend that the WCSD Board of Education approve plans to consolidate East High School and West High School, creating a new high school, bringing the traditions of East and West together on one campus.
If the Board of Education approves the project, construction would start in 2025 with an estimated completion date of 2028. This would make the class of 2029 the inaugural graduating class of the new Waterloo High School.
The district plans to release more information, including more renderings and additional ways the public can get involved in the process prior to the July 8 vote. For more information, visit WaterlooSchools.org/Bridging-Futures.
