City’s Newest Branch: Kirkwood STEM Center

In its inaugural year, the Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa has already attracted 80 students from City High. After Jones County, then Washington and Linn counties partnered with a regional center, City High Principal John Bacon knew he had to find a way to install a center within the ICCSD.

“I remember my first year at City High, we went up and visited that facility, and there was talk that we could keep going and expand, adding more regional centers,” Bacon said. “We were excited when ours was finally open this year.”

The Regional Center is a culmination of several years of district-wide cooperation with the University of Iowa and Kirkwood, and Bacon is pleased with the extension of academic opportunities for students at City.

“It dramatically expands the course offerings that we have in the area, especially of technology and industrial technology. There are lots of wonderful programs there that we just don’t offer here at the high school,” Bacon said. Honestly, I think that’s the one area where we were weakest-what the regional center helps us with.”

City was forced to make a difficult decision a few years ago when the design for the construction of the new fine arts wing interfered with the location of the previous auto shop. As City considered the planned Regional Center, the school was able to decide to move forward with construction.

Now I’m just thrilled that the Regional Center exists, because now there’s an absolutely state-of-the-art, first-class facility exists,” Bacon said.

City students who have chosen to take advantage of the Kirkwood programs have taken multiple approaches in deciding how they want to use these college credits for their future career. They have found that their schedules allow for Kirkwood classes, as they have exhausted City High course options in their interest.

Hailey Verdick ‘16 has chosen to take a long-term approach.

“I want to major in speech language pathology. But in college you’re going to have to take these classes, so that’s how [Kirkwood] has helped me.”

Verdick has elected to opt out of her freshman-year rhetoric requirements in favor of taking the Kirkwood course Arts and Sciences Academy A. She hopes to accelerate her career path in college by taking care of general education requirements in high school.

While some students save career classes for after high school, others choose to delve into their chosen field. Andrew Parr ‘16 is one of these students.

“I really liked honors chemistry last year, and [the career] makes me feel more unique,” Andrew Parr ‘16 said. “I thought that taking this would either be helpful in that I would know if I didn’t want to do it, or it would help me know that I do want to do it,” he said. “And then it would be a stepping stone on the way to being a pharmacist.”

Kirkwood’s block schedule provides a variance of course subjects.

“I like the schedule so much,” Verdick said. “I have an hour and a half to sit down and really get into something, really dig into it, take the time. [The block schedule] really breaks it up so it’s not monotonous,” she said.

However, scheduling has also proved a problem in some cases, as the morning option begins before the City school day, at 7:30, and the afternoon slot overlaps with schools sports.

“For me it’s kind of frustrating, because I would’ve chosen the afternoon option, but I have a sport that I have to be at,” Verdick said. “And then it interferes with some City High events,” she said. “But it’s one small thing, and you’ve got to look at the big picture.”

Students also have to consider their transportation choices. City offers a shuttle bus from the school to encourage participation at the Kirkwood Regional Center.

“[The transportation] is working well,” Bacon said. “To me it was an essential aspect that shuttle bus transportation existed. If it didn’t I it was going to disenfranchise students, potentially, from participating. It wouldn’t be equitable if you had to get yourself there-that’s not going to work well for some students,” he said. “It needs to be an option, so that [Kirkwood is] truly available to anybody.”

Both Parr and Verdick drive themselves to their morning classes at the Kirkwood center.

“It’s been a little bit annoying, but it’s not that bad. And it’s a pretty easy route there,” Verdick said.

Aside from transportation, college in high school could be too much of a challenge for some academically.

“I think kids are realizing right away that there are high expectations; for example, you can only miss about five times or you’re withdrawn from the class,”

Bacon said. “It doesn’t matter what the reason is.”

Parr has felt the added pressure, and recognizes the program’s difficulty as equivalent to an AP class.

“You have to make sure you’re on top of things,” Parr said. “The teacher doesn’t remind you- you kind of have to just know it. It’s just a part of the learning platform.”

Students who chose the Kirkwood center path are asked to consider their academic maturity and responsibility.

“They should consider first of all if they’re willing to really wake up early, take the initiative to get there, take the time to meet the teacher, and are willing to accommodate for a new situation,” Verdick said.

Verdick also notes the difference in convenience, for things like homework help, and in the classroom environment because of the mix of schools within the county.

“We’re not there all day, so it’s not like we can just go during an open period. And I only know two other people in my class,” Verdick said.

Nonetheless, the altered college schedule allows for greater freedom and independence. Concurrently, students will gain an advanced approach to their education that will only multiply in its benefits.

“To finish with a certificate that shows you’re prepared in a given trade is something that will give many of our students a leg up after high school,” Bacon said. “And there are some great careers that can make good money in some of these fields.”

Parr can already see the experiences he’ll gain from the more technological and hands-on approach Kirkwood offers.

“I’m really glad I [chose Kirkwood]. I really like it,” he said. “It’s a different experience, and it’s preparing me for college.”

Bacon urges students to find a way to reasonably fit Kirkwood classes into their schedule.

“I really want to see kids take a serious look at what’s offered out there and choose to participate, Bacon said “ It’s not going to be for everybody, and it’s not going to work in everyone’s schedule, but I think it’s the right fit for a lot of people.”

Click this text to view the Kirkwood academies.