Prairie Rise

Cedar Rapids Prep is a tuition-free public charter school open to any Iowa student, with no entrance exams. We serve grades 6 to 9 this year, launched our founding high school class in fall 2026, and will grow through grade 12. Our Towers Campus is on North River Boulevard, with a second campus in Hiawatha. We are operated by the Opportunity Education Network, a nonprofit network of independent and charter schools. New students take assessments at enrollment so we can build each schedule around their needs, with intervention courses for students who need to close gaps and math up to three years advanced for those ready to move ahead. Our 16:1 student to teacher ratio keeps classes small, every student keeps the same advisor throughout their time here, and advisory meets daily. Our special education learning specialist manages IEPs, and our counselors handle 504 plans. Middle schoolers pick two electives each semester from STEM, orchestra, band, choir, PE, and art. Clubs include Math Counts, Mock Trial, Robotics, French Club, and Show Choir. Students compete in football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, cross country, and track. Uniforms are required.

Cedar Valley Montessori School (CVMS) has been a cornerstone of family-centered education for over 50 years, dedicated to nurturing children aged two to six. With a mission grounded in authentic Montessori philosophy, CVMS emphasizes individualized learning that respects each child's unique developmental journey. The school's approach fosters social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth, creating thoughtful and confident learners who respect themselves and the world around them. CVMS offers tailored academic programs for preschool and kindergarten students, encouraging independence and curiosity through the Montessori Method. This method aligns with children's natural instincts and promotes holistic development instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. Additionally, CVMS features summer programs rich with themed activities and excursions that enhance cultural awareness and social engagement. What truly sets Cedar Valley Montessori apart is its commitment to family involvement and its low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention that supports emotional stability alongside academic achievement. The school's welcoming environment encourages parents to engage deeply in their children's education, making it a beloved choice for families seeking an enriching educational experience.

Grant Wood Elementary opened on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids in the spring of 1951. A fifth grader won the Cedar Rapids Gazette contest to name it, and we became the first school in the city named after an artist, the Iowa painter of "American Gothic." Our students are the Grant Wood Griffins. Classroom instruction uses Amplify CKLA for reading, Bridges in Mathematics and the hands-on FOSS science program. Before the bell, students can join a running club in fall and spring, a fourth and fifth grade show choir, or LEGO League for grades 3 to 5. After school there is an art club, Eastern Iowa Arts Academy classes and Scouting, and the year ends with a spring talent show. Twice a year our PTA runs after-school enrichment classes taught by teachers, parents and volunteers, from swimming and bowling to sign language and cake decorating. Champions provides licensed before and after care on site, with homework time each afternoon. We also partner with the Foster Grandparents Program and AmeriCorps.