Attention: There will be NO early dismissal today (March 22nd). In consultation with the City of Cedar Rapids, we decided to adjust today's dismissal time to the regular Monday through Thursday dismissal schedule. This is for the safety of our students and staff and to allow the city additional time to clear the street. All high schools and middle schools will dismiss today at 2:50 PM, and elementary schools will dismiss at 3:50 PM. This is for today only.

Students Honors

National Merit Finalist Named


Theo Brock and Ian McGrath, both seniors at Washington High School, have been named finalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. This achievement places them among the top 1% of high school students nationwide. The National Merit Scholarship Program is renowned for recognizing outstanding academic achievements, with over 1.3 million students entering the competition annually. 


To become a finalist, students first had to be one of the highest-scoring entrants in the state on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They then had to submit a detailed scholarship application - provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They also had to write an essay, earn high marks on the SAT or ACT, and get a recommendation from a high school official. Ian and Theo now move on to compete for one of 7,140 scholarships totaling over $28 million. Scholarship winners will be announced between April and July. 


We’re so proud to see these outstanding, hardworking students advance to the next round of this prestigious program,” shared Washington principal Ian LeMaster. “This achievement is the culmination of years of dedication to learning, leading, and serving their community and demonstrates the rich tradition that Washington has of academic excellence.

Jefferson Band at Truman State University


On March 6-7, the Jefferson High School Wind Symphony traveled to Truman State University in Missouri. The band was invited to perform in a concert with the TSU Wind Symphony as part of the university’s invitational concert. Following the performance, the students immersed themselves in a range of enriching experiences, including a campus tour, a clinic with TSU Band Director Dr. Prendergast, and masterclasses with TCU studio professors. Click Here to see a recording of the concert, which starts at the 35:00 mark. 

Kennedy Show Choir at the Grand Ole Opry


Kennedy’s Show Choir, Happiness Inc., is performing at the National Show Choir Competition at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. They take the stage at 12:45 pm on Friday (3/22) and will compete against 11 other groups from six different states in the Mixed Division Prelims. They will compete again on Saturday if selected to move on to the finals. We wish them the best of luck. 

News & Updates

New Phone Menus


Cedar Rapids Community School District recently completed an upgrade to the phone system in all district buildings. Not only will this new system reduce the district’s telecommunication costs, but it will also introduce features that will help with school safety and staff connectivity. For example, the new system allows emergency responders to identify the room a 9-1-1 call originated from, helping to speed up response time.


With this upgrade in all district buildings, callers can continue to reach a school office by dialing the schools’ main numbers. However, if you are using an auxiliary number, please update your records to the school’s main number, as these numbers may have been discontinued. Additionally, there is a new call greeting and menu options when calling a school, so please listen carefully. Please be patient with our entire staff as they acclimate to the new system and its features. 

Franklin Kicks Off 100th Anniversary


This year, Franklin Middle School is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Built in 1923 and officially dedicated on March 12, 1924, Franklin initially served as a high school before transitioning into a junior high/middle school in 1957. The school is bursting with history and memories from the thousands of students who walked the halls over the last century. So, to commemorate this milestone, students are creating videos to share Franklin's story. The videos will be shown to students and staff over the next 8 weeks and later shared on the school’s Facebook Page. The anniversary celebration will culminate with a community event on May 23rd, welcoming students, teachers, alumni, and community members to join in on the celebration of Franklin’s legacy. 

Turn in Hy-Vee Receipts


Remember to turn in your Hy-Vee receipts to your neighborhood school for the Cash 4 Students program by March 31st! For every $200 worth of receipts collected, Hy-Vee generously awards our schools $1. These funds go directly towards enhancing our student's education - funding supplemental curriculum, providing teaching tools, replacing classroom supplies, and supporting various school activities. Any receipts from HyVee, HyVee Drug, or HyVee Gas dated between 4/1/2023 through 3/31/2024 will work. So check your car, kitchen junk drawer, and purse to see if you have any receipts you can turn in. Also, ask your friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers to collect their receipts as well. Every receipt counts, no matter how small!

Mary Cruise Accepts the IAAE Lifetime Achievement Award

Metro High School Leads IAAE Conference


Educators from across Iowa gathered in Cedar Rapids this week to explore alternative education programs. Hosted by the Cedar Rapids Community School District and Metro High School, the 2024 Iowa Association of Alternative Education (IAAE) Conference brings educators and alternative education supporters together for two days of professional learning where they share insights on the latest classroom techniques, project-based learning, school culture/relationships. It also allows attendees to share best practices and network with other alternative education teachers.


"I want people to be inspired, to learn, and feel that they are not alone. It’s about celebrating alternative education in Iowa and what is best for the students," shared Shannon Ellis, IAAE board member and Metro High School teacher.


A notable highlight of this event was the recognition of Metro High School's Mary Cruise, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in acknowledgment of her 30 years of service and commitment to alternative education.

Glance Around The District

McKinley Middle School held its annual 8th grade vs staff basketball game. The event included a pep band, DJ, and students cheers.

JHS Baseball, Cheer, and Jr. J-Hawk Baseball traded in their J-Hawk blue for some green as they participated in the SaPaDaPaSo Parade this past weekend. 

Painting of woman

The District Art Show is now open at CSPS Hall. The show features artwork of high school students from across the district. The exhibit is open Thursday through Sunday from 12-6 PM until April 19th.

Erskine Elementary kindergarten and 1st graders had an amazing field trip this week to Somersaults Gymnastics, where they got to try out some of their skills. 

This week, students at West Willow and Maple Grove Elementary School were treated to musical performances from Taft Middle School’s show choir and orchestra.

Third graders at Kenwood Leadership Academy used their leadership skills of “Seek First to Understand” during a field trip to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and Grant Wood Studio. 

Students at Viola Gibson Elementary had a visit from Police Pal Shawn Burke this week. He talked with students about bike safety, stranger danger, and respecting people and property.

Mrs. Steinhamp’s 4th graders at Johnson STEAM Academy have been learning about the importance of teamwork. They put their teamwork skills to the test by competing to build the tallest tower out of notecards.

A cucumber plant flowering  in the Metro greenhouse

Even though Spring didn’t officially start until March 20th, the plants are already blooming in the Metro High School greenhouse. The students are currently growing a variety of plants and vegetables.

CRCSD In the News

In case you missed it, here are recent items in the news media about or of interest to students, teachers, and parents of Cedar Rapids Community School District.

District Calendars

2023-24 School Calendar

2023-24 Preschool Calendar

Visit our Calendar page

Jefferson High School

Activities Calendar

Kennedy High School

Activities Calendar

Washington High School

Activities Calendar

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Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to discriminate in educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, national origin, religion, disability, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities) or genetic information and in employment opportunities on the basis of age, race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Darius Ballard, Chief of Human Resources, Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.

March 22, 2024