According to KCRG, the Cedar Rapids Community School District announced that its 2027‑28 high‑school schedule will include a suite of College and Career Readiness academies. The three‑year pathways are intended to give students in‑depth preparation for specific career fields, a development many families see as essential for future job security and college success.
Each of the district’s three high schools – Jefferson, Kennedy and Washington – will offer its own set of academies that students can opt into. Enrollment is handled through school counselors, and families may also use the district’s school‑choice permits to attend the campus that best matches their desired program. Every ninth‑grader will begin in a Freshman Academy to explore potential career paths and may take an optional Freshman Seminar course.
The announced academies cover a broad spectrum of fields. Jefferson High School will host programs such as Business & Human Services, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Engineering & Drone Technology, Automotive Technology, Architectural Design & Construction, Environmental Science, Healthcare and Food Science. Kennedy High School will feature Automotive, Welding & Motor; Business Innovation & Marketing; Civic Service; Computer & Technology Services; Construction & Engineering; Creative Arts & Design; Education; Environmental Science & Sustainability; Finance; Health Occupations; and Health Sciences. Washington High School will provide Business & Creative Media, Finance & Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Creative Media & Production, Industrial Technology, Architecture & Construction Science, Manufacturing, Health Sciences, Clinical Services & Patient Care, and Community & Behavioral Health.
The district began construction earlier this year to renovate and expand the Washington and Jefferson campuses to accommodate the new programs. Superintendent Tawana Lannin emphasized that the academy model will expand learning opportunities, stating, “Our promise is that students graduate with more than a diploma… The preparation is ours. The choice is theirs.” She added that students will still be able to take coursework and join extracurricular activities outside of their chosen pathway.
What’s next: The academies are slated to open for the 2027‑28 school year. Interested students and parents can start the enrollment process now through their counselors, and the district will continue to update the community on construction progress and any additional program details.
