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Featured Teacher: Ann Hanigan-Kotz

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This time of year signals a return to school for thousands of Iowa kids, from kindergarten through college. Of course, those kids’ teachers have been hard at work in their classrooms since the beginning of summer, preparing for the hustle and bustle of the coming year. 

And one of the busiest—and best—is Waukee High School English teacher Ann Hanigan-Kotz.

Hanigan-Kotz is heading into her 32nd year of teaching, and she identified her desire to teach early in her college career. After choosing English as a major, “I was practical in wanting a job from my degree,” she said. “I decided I could use my degree in the classroom.” A lifelong lover of reading and analyzing literature, she also wanted to help students the way she had been helped by her own English teachers.

Hanigan-Kotz started teaching in the Waukee School District in 1991 and has now taught all levels of high school English. She said the students are what she enjoys most about her work. “They’re so funny and fun to be around,” she explained. “I especially enjoy watching them grow in their writing and thinking skills. They become so confident. Their academic and personal growth is exciting to watch.”

She has high praise for her students’ parents and her peers, as well. “The students at Waukee work hard and appreciate their education,” she said. “Their parents are supportive of their learning.  I also admire the teachers in the district. They’re professional and care deeply about all of the students. I watch my colleagues go beyond their job description. They put so much of themselves into their profession.”

Hanigan-Kotz fits this mold herself. In addition to teaching advanced English, she also acts as the education teacher at Waukee High School, teaching Introduction to Education, a dual-credit DMACC class that allows students the chance to experience teaching for themselves. A survey class, Introduction to Education, gives students experience in all aspects of teaching, including a practicum component during which they spend 140 hours in the classroom, working with individuals, small groups and the whole class. “They teach, assess, plan and prepare teaching materials,” said Hanigan-Kotz. “They get a far more thorough experience than the colleges can give them.”

Thanks to Hanigan-Kotz, Introduction to Education isn’t the only dual-credit education class available to Waukee High School students. She recently approached UNI and persuaded the university to partner with the school to offer a children’s literature class for education students. According to Hanigan-Kotz, children’s literature is a required course for all elementary education majors, regardless of where they attend college. She team-teaches the course with UNI professor Dr. JD Cryer. She said she wanted to add the literature class to give interested students another education course to take after they finish Introduction to Education.

“They were passionate about being in the classroom, and I wanted to keep that passion burning,” she explained.

She’s also in the process of working with UNI to add another dual-credit class, ideally a course for students who are interested in elementary or secondary education. Hanigan-Kotz wants to ensure that students interested in pursuing education have as many options as possible to further that interest. “We need these passionate young people to go into our profession,” she said. “Teaching is such an honorable and important profession, and it has been so meaningful in my life. I want to share that with others.”

By all appearances, Hanigan-Kotz is making a big impact. She was nominated to be this issue’s Featured Teacher by retired Waukee High School educator Connie Tow, who began teaching there at the same time as Hanigan-Kotz and speaks very highly of her former colleague.

“Her commitment to excellence in the classroom results in students being extraordinarily well-prepared for life after high school, whether on the job or in college,” said Tow. “Her students comment on her high expectations for student achievement and her dedication to their success.”

Tow was the original instructor for the Introduction to Education DMACC class at Waukee High School and said she believes Hanigan-Kotz is doing a tremendous job helping to launch prospective future educators. “Ann’s commitment to quality learning opportunities for students and staff make her a valuable resource to our district,” said Tow. “A true professional. A dedicated teacher. A valued friend to many. A lifelong learner: Ann Hanigan-Kotz.”

Faces of Waukee: Sarah Kautz

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Where are you from?

I was born and raised in the Quad Cities—specifically, East Moline, Illinois.  I graduated from United Township High School in East Moline and also from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA. We have been in the Des Moines metro area for three years.

You’re a mother of three; what does your family do for fun?

I have three kids—ages 16, 14 and 8—all students in the Waukee School District.  We love to travel and go on adventures. The kids have been to more than 40 states.  I also stay busy cheering on the kids in their activities, including football, show choir, track/field and cheerleading.  

Tell us about your role in the Waukee School District.  

As of July 1, I am the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the school district.  I have a responsibility to ensure proper fiscal management for all aspects of the district, including capital and operational budgeting, health insurance, property/casualty insurance, payroll, financial reporting, grants, compliance reporting, internal controls, and advising the board and superintendent regarding financial policies.  It’s a very fun, fast paced, dynamic role and certainly more exciting due to the growth of the district. No two days are the same at Waukee Schools!

What’s your favorite thing about working in Waukee?

We have the best educators, administrators and staff, and they’re all working toward the same goal—to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.  I am proud to be a part of such an amazing team. I truly enjoy coming to work every day.

The growing district has had its share of difficulties in the past few years. What would you say are your biggest goals in your role as CFO?

My biggest goals for the coming year are continuing the great work we have done in the last few months around strengthening our internal control environment and business procedures, developing relationships with building administrators and staff, and ensuring that the district has a strong financial position to support our day-to-day operations and the growth we are experiencing.  Our best days are ahead of us.

Faces of Waukee: Mindi Heitland

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Where did you grow up? 

I grew up on a farm outside of Zearing and graduated from Colo-Nesco. After high school, I earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Coe College and a master’s degree from Drake University. 

Tell us about your family. 

My husband, Brent, is also a teacher and coach in the district. Our two elementary-aged sons have been raised in the bleachers and on the sidelines as Waukee Warrior fans. Outside of school, we enjoy attending our own boys’ sports and activities, time at the lake and traveling.

Tell us about what you do for the Waukee School District. 

As a school-to-work coordinator, I organize and coordinate internships for high school seniors in career fields they are interested in pursuing after graduation. I’m always working to establish partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide meaningful and authentic internship experiences.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

The number of quality opportunities offered through Waukee Schools is tremendous. It’s very rewarding to watch students find what interests and excites them, and then see them build on those skills to use in the future. 

What are you most looking forward to in the 2019/2020 school year? 

So many exciting changes are happening at Waukee Community School District. I’m looking forward to helping develop great experiences to support both high schools and continued connections within the community.

Waukee Community School District: Then, Now, & Beyond

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It’s hard to imagine a time, more than 100 years ago when the Waukee Community School District (WCSD) was a consolidation of four small, rural towns that transported neighborhood kids to school by horse and buggy.

Fast forward to 2019, and Waukee is the fastest-growing school district in the state, with a ninth elementary school welcoming students this fall, one more K-5 school on deck and construction underway for a second high school.

The district’s transformation since its formation in 1916 has been nothing short of monumental. We sat down with Amy Varcoe, WCSD’s Director of Communications, to discuss the evolution of the district—including where it started, how things look now and what the future holds.

Waukee in the Beginning: Small and Rural 

Waukee Community School District was formerly known as Waukee Consolidated District after a petition was signed on July 29, 1916 to merge the Walnut Center, Pleasant View, Floral Valley and Waukee Independent School Districts into the Waukee Consolidated School District. Areas of Boone and Van Meter were also included in the merger. The district was eventually named as we know it today but didn’t experience any significant growth until the late 1990’s, when the Des Moines metro began to expand further west.

The area’s growth from 1992-98 reflected a booming U.S. economy, which increased by an average of four percent with nearly 1.7 million new jobs created, an unemployment rate of four percent, and median household income up by 10 percent.

As a suburb of a growing city, Waukee had an influx of families. During the 1994-95 schoolyear, the WCSD had just three kindergarten teachers for 123 kindergarten students. In total, there were 29 elementary teachers for grades K-5, and 68 seniors graduated that year.

“In 1997, Waukee was still one of the smallest schools in the state,” said Varcoe.

But by the end of the decade, student enrollment numbers started to increase by 450 students annually—a trend that’s continued, and then some, 24 years later—catapulting Waukee to the seventh biggest school district in Iowa.

“My husband and I moved to Waukee in 2006,” said Varcoe.  “LA Grant Parkway was a gravel road back then. There were no other buildings, but we purposefully chose to live here because of the area’s reputation for good schools. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be up to 500-600 new students a year.”

The District Today

Against that backdrop, nearly 11,500 kids will be enrolled in Waukee schools this fall. Radiant Elementary on the west side of 170th Street in Urbandale near Meredith Drive is open for its first year, and construction is in progress for Northwest High School, scheduled to open in 2021.

Despite the extensive changes in the district, Varcoe has been impressed by the consistency in maintaining academic excellence.  “I think what I’m impressed by most is how they’ve kept up with the academic success. My kids will have experiences beyond anything I ever grew up with—work-based, project-based and real-world interactions using technology, etcetera. My kids are doing PowerPoint presentations and coding in elementary schools. These are the types of skills that will land them a job anywhere they go.”

Introducing New Leadership

The new leadership team includes Superintendent Brad Buck, Chief Operations Officer Kirk Johnson, Associate Superintendent Brady Fleming and Chief Financial Officer Sarah Kautz.

Buck is returning to Waukee after serving as the superintendent in the Cedar Rapids School District. He was associate superintendent as well as assistant superintendent for school improvement for the Waukee Community School District from 2006-11. Buck also was the director of the Iowa Department of Education and superintendent of the Saydel Community School District.

Varcoe said administrators participated in an all-staff back-to-school event in mid-August that was centered on connectedness, a theme echoed by Buck in recent media statements.

“Our focus was connecting with each other and staff, students and our community. As we grow, that’ll be so important, ensuring we have a pulse on what our students’ needs are, what staff needs are and what the community’s needs are.”

Diversifying

The number of new families setting down roots in the area also has increased the cultural diversity among students. Over the last 10 years, 90 percent of students enrolled were white or Caucasian. Varcoe said new data shows that number has dropped to 76 percent.

“Because our city is growing so much, we’re seeing more diversity among our student population as well. It’s amazing to have students from all backgrounds together. The district is starting to look like a closer representation of the many different cultures and ethnicities in America’s larger cities.”  

Real World Opportunities

Currently, the high graduation rate in the school district is 99 percent—number one in the state. Iowa’s average is 91 percent. Varcoe attributes the top scores to the teachers’ commitment to setting up students for success at an early age.

“Starting in elementary, our teachers do a great job of giving students one-on-one attention and delivering on academic indicators. Students are prepared when they walk through the high school’s doors on the first day. And once they’re there, there’s so much that’s available to them.”

Varcoe said through the high school’s advanced placement courses, some students are going to college with at least one year of credits, while others are coming in at a sophomore- or junior-year level.

She said employment and workforce shifts help dictate curriculum for the students, too. Unique to Waukee are programs like APEX, a collaboration between business partners and students that provides real-world experience for high schoolers—another reason why students are excelling.

“We have more than 500 business partners involved in the APEX program from industries like healthcare, business, architecture, accounting and more. Trade businesses also come to us that are willing to pay for students’ continued education to bolster their workforce. For a lot of kids, that’s very appealing. They won’t end up with $100,000 in debt from a four-year college and no job.”

What’s Ahead for WCSD

The most notable changes happening in the district in the coming years include the opening of a 10th elementary school located off Ute Avenue and Ashworth Road. The yet-to-be-named school will be comprised of students from Maple Grove, Waukee Elementary and Woodland Hills.  

Varcoe said the district also will need to add an 11th elementary school, along with another middle school within the next five years. “There’s still a lot to figure out. Do we need to reconfigure our current schools in the meantime, or just purchase the land and get going? The Waukee Middle School bubble is growing, and we need to be ready before it bursts,” she said.

Waukee school district’s enrollment team meets weekly to ensure they are ready.

“We work with a local company to keep an eye on what farmland is being sold, and what type of developments are going there. If it’s commercial, that gives us some time to wait to build,” she said.

Over the next 10 years, Varcoe said there’s potential for Waukee to be one of the three largest districts in Iowa, behind Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. “When you have 40 percent of your land undeveloped, that can be an indicator of growth and the sheer potential that’s possible.”

Preschool Programming

Varcoe said Waukee is now in the statewide four-year-old preschool program, but hasn’t had the capacity to expand the program in any of their buildings. However, the intent over the next three years is to do just that.

“Right now parents take their kids to an elementary school for preschool, but we need to get some of those preschool students their own facility,” explained Varcoe.  “We know we need it. We know it’s in high demand.”

Because preschools require special infrastructure, like tiny desks, chairs, toilets, etc., four-year-olds in the program are able to use kindergarten facilities. “Currently, there’s very limited space where we can put them, but many of our preschool classes will take place at Radiant next year,” said Varcoe.

Northwest High School

This fall, Northwest High School’s mascot and colors will be determined. WCSD administrators sent out a survey to area business leaders and families and will conduct focus groups with parents, community and staff members.

“That will help us narrow down the design options and color pallets, and since current sophomore, freshman and eighth-grade students will be the first class to go to school at the high school, they’ll be the first group we get feedback from, too,” explained Varcoe.

She also said administrators are doing everything they can to ensure an easy transition for students, especially the seniors leaving Waukee High School for Northwest for their final year. “In 2020, we’ll make a huge, fun year out of their last year together,” she said. “Homecoming is going to be awesome as the last of one high school.”

Varcoe said Cary Justmann, Waukee High School’s principal, is “very adamant he will keep everyone as together as possible.  He doesn’t want there to be an ‘us versus them’ division between the two high schools. He wants to ensure we’re getting everyone together as much as possible.”

Varcoe said there will be potential cross-sharing between high school classes and programs of interest for students, so they feel more connected. “To the best of our ability, we’ll better align our resources, so the schools don’t feel divided. Students at both schools will have the same opportunities and some of the sports teams will remain one, too, like our swim team.”

Varcoe said the district’s commitment for any growth moving forward is to ensure Waukee keeps a feeling of togetherness that extends to welcoming new families and opportunities. “Waukee is not big when it comes to the city. There’s a lot of land and a lot of students, but it still feels like a small community.”

Continued Growth

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Waukee Community School District will open its ninth elementary school, named Radiant Elementary School, at the start of the 2019/20 school year. Located at 5050 170th St. in Urbandale, it will serve students in preschool through fifth grade.

Allison Salow will be the school’s principal. She is currently the assistant principal at Shuler and Walnut Hills Elementary Schools. Dr. Lindsay Law will be Radiant’s assistant principal, as well as the Director of Curricular Arts & Student Equity for Waukee Community School District.

“I am passionate about my work and feel fortunate to be able to work with some of the most talented and dedicated people in our community,” said Salow.

This is Salow’s third year as an administrator in the Waukee Community School District and her 20th year in education. Her experience includes teaching preschool, first and second grade. She was also an instructional coach and instructional mentor for eight years, as well.

The primary focus of Radiant Elementary will be the academic and social-emotional growth of its students. The school will offer additional support services in the areas of Reading Lab, Special Education, Extended Learning and English as a Second Language. With its strong emphasis on meeting the needs of all students through differentiated instruction and research-based practices, its teachers and staff will work to ensure all children fulfill their full learning potential.

The name Radiant Elementary honors the community’s coal mining history. There were coal mines all over the state of Iowa in the late 1800’s. By 1920, there were five coal companies in operation in Dallas County, one of which was named Radiant Coal Company. The others were Dallas Coal Company, Norwood-White Coal Company, Scandia Coal Company and Shuler Coal Company.

The school district’s tenth elementary school is slated to open for the 2022/23 school year, one year after the second high school opens. These new schools have not yet been named, but there is a plan to name the high school by this summer.

Tech Teens

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The FIRST Tech Challenge Pathfinders

It’s a Friday evening, and we’re gathered in the basement of Owen Scott’s home. He’s one of eight members of the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Pathfinders, an award-winning robotics club in Waukee. (FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” and is the parent organization of robotics clubs across the nation.)

We’re there for their weekly meeting. Scott and his teammates—a nearly equal mix of boys and girls—are eighth and ninth graders in the district.

The kids are huddled together on the couch as their coach, Shannon Stone, mother to team member Kristen Stone, and mentor Bhooshan Karnik, father to team member Arya Karnik, watch the students respond to my list of questions.

In addition to Arya, Owen and Kristen, Sabarish Mogallapalli, Shriya Magatapalli, Sean Eastman, Katie Morrison and Ben Avilez make up the FTC Pathfinders.

Behind the couch, there’s a large matted area known as “the field.” It’s where they’re fine-tuning their robotics project for an upcoming competition in Sioux City.

The FTC Pathfinders—named after NASA’s Mars Voyager—are one of seven robotics teams in the district.

“There’s also the STEM Punks, Enginerds, WaukeeTaukee, System Overlords, Circuit Breakers and ICE,” the students chime in.

They walk me through a typical meeting.

First, they begin by reflecting. Each student shares what they accomplished at the last meeting, what they hope to accomplish at this meeting, barriers to reaching their goals and how they can help each other overcome those barriers.

Next, they divvy up duties. Some work on finance and others on the engineering notebook—a record of everything they do throughout the season, including team activities that occur both in and outside Owen’s basement.

And, of course, they work on their robot.

“Each year, we’re given tasks and awarded point values for completing them. We design part of the robot to complete those tasks,” says Kristen.

The students are given a FIRST manual to follow, and they’re awarded points for whatever tasks their robot is able to do from that manual. The theme this year is space. The students and I walk over to the field to watch the robot in action.

There’s a red and white lander in the middle of the field. It looks like a miniature version of something you might see in a space exhibition. The robot lifts and lowers itself on and off the lander. Two corners of the square field are taped off, acting as storage depots for the “minerals” scattered around. The other two corners act as craters. One of the robot’s tasks is to pick up the minerals from the crater and deposit them in specific spots on the lander.

Most team members got their start in an FLL (FIRST Lego League) geared toward fourth through eighth graders. The FTC teams are for students in seventh through twelfth grade.

During their first season together (2014- 15), there were just two members from the current team. Together, they advanced to the state competition. As others joined, the Pathfinders’ success continued.

One of their most notable projects is an app called “City Recycle Day,” created with input from MetroWest Authority. It lists important dates for taking out trash and recycling receptacles.

In the spring of 2016, the team entered the app in the Verizon App Challenge. They won “Best in State.” They then submitted it to the Congressional App Challenge. They won that, too, and presented the app to members of Congress at the United States Capitol.

This spring, they’re headed back to Washington D.C. after winning with their latest submission, “FastLane,” which notifies parents and students about district bus schedules and delays.

While there, they’ll present to state representatives and attend talks by tech giants and innovators like Amazon, Microsoft, Southwest and Boeing.

Both apps have a community focus—something incredibly important to the Pathfinders. Outside of their meetings, the students spend time networking with teachers, visiting elementary schools across the district and making connections with local businesses.

Out of curiosity, I ask the team which subjects they’re thinking about studying after graduation.

This seems like a group that might know. They answer without hesitation.

“Aeronautical engineering,” says one.

“Biomedical or chemical engineering,” says another.

“Medical research.”

“Software engineer.”

It is evident I am far from the smartest person in the room. I am impressed with how, at such a young age, these students have already found a career path they love. For many, it’s all they’ve known.

“STEM is my life,” says Karnik.

Like many in the group, both of his parents work in the field.

“All the people I look up to are in STEM,” says Katie. “That’s where everything is headed. There’s so much you can do in it.”

Stone adds, “There is a significant shortage of engineers. It’s really important we prepare ourselves for the future. We have to keep evolving with the world.”

It’s obvious that their coach, Shannon, is proud.

“The team is just a great bunch to be around. They amaze me. They face a lot of challenges, whether it be tech or otherwise, and they always keep a positive attitude and support each other. They keep marching forward,” she gushes.

Not only do the Pathfinders get to practice their STEM skills in robotics club, they also work on fundraising and acquiring sponsorships, public speaking and presentation skills.

“We’re in a lot of situations where we’re talking to people about our team or projects—from judges, business owners and kids. So, we learn confidence and how to improve our speaking skills. We also learn time management and how to prioritize doing multiple things and meeting deadlines,” says Arya.

They also learn about a concept called “gracious professionalism,” a hallmark of the many virtues FIRST promotes. It’s the idea that despite their competition, teams should collaborate, learn from one another and help each other whenever possible.

“It’s just like good sportsmanship, whether you win or lose, you’re respectful and kind to those around you. That gets returned to you later when others are willing to help out,” says Katie.

The students are regular visitors in the Waukee elementary schools, where they participate in interest groups to discuss the club with prospective team members. They say teachers are their best advocates for recruiting future FLL or FTC students.

For information on joining a robotics club, visit firstinspires.org or reach out to the Pathfinders at pathfinders13497@gmail.com or email Jeff Longman, Director of Community Education at Waukee Community School District, at jlongman@waukeeschools.org.


myWaukee Exclusive: Our Past, Present, & Future Video Story

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To say Waukee has come a long way since its coal-mining roots is an understatement.

MyWaukee partnered with Waukee APEX Associate Caleb Neese to create this look into where we were, where we are, and where we’re headed in Waukee, Iowa.

myWaukee Exclusive: Waukee Second High School Video Story

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We take a look at the growth of the Waukee Community School District and the upcoming second high school expected to be accepting students in the Fall of 2021.

This video was created in Partnership with the Waukee APEX Program. The story was conceived, shot, edited, and produced by APEX Associates Debashish Koirala and Ben Jordison.

From the School District: Color Us Impressed

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Many people are curious what the mascot and school colors will be for the new high school in Waukee. To us, this shows the interest and investment our community has in our growing district.

People have moved to Waukee—in record numbers—for the exceptional education our staff provides and they’ve stayed because we’ve delivered on those expectations. A second high school will allow us to expand opportunities for all of our students and create spaces where new opportunities can be implemented.  

Our leaders understand how fortunate we are to have the community’s support as we grow as a district. When we asked the community to vote on the bond referendum in 2018, it was passed at more than 90 percent. To us, this shows that our community is supportive of our decision to grow the school district into two high schools. Because the bond referendum passed, we are able to design a 21st-century facility that allows us to meet the current needs of students and educators.

After the completion of the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center in 2013, it was clear to us that students are learning in different ways than they did in the past, and educators are teaching in a different way—for the better. Most districts in the state are not building new facilities; instead, they have to be creative with the resources they already have with declining enrollments. We are taking a hard look at how we spend taxpayer dollars to make sure it’s in the best interest of our students and staff, to last long into the future of Waukee Community School District.

To circle back to the frequently asked questions about the mascot and colors, we will be working with current staff and key stakeholders to help us through these and all of the important decisions. We do not want to have a split district with an “us vs. them” mentality. Waukee is a tight-knit community, with our schools being the anchor, and we don’t want that to change. Engaging our staff from the beginning has been very beneficial in making decisions on classroom layouts, how we use the spaces in the new buildings, and resources we can provide to enhance learning. This has worked well for us in the past and will continue to build a sense of community and excitement for the new school. We are going to enjoy this journey and have some fun in the process, so stay tuned.

An official groundbreaking event for the new school was held on Dec. 11. We were proud to involve the entire community in the ceremonial groundbreaking. For more updates on the construction of the new high school, visit https://2ndhs.waukeeschools.org/.

 

Second High School Coming To Waukee

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Waukee area students in graduating classes 2022-25 could be the first to attend the area’s second high school, which is set to open in 2021.

The fast-growing Waukee Community School District was ready to burst at the seams with Waukee High School nearing capacity. Total districtwide enrollment increased from 2,198 students in September 1999 to more than 10,000 this year with a projection of nearly 13,000 in five years.

Meanwhile, the city of Waukee had grown from 5,180 in 2000 to 20,649 last year. Its recent one-year increase of 9 percent was the highest of any city in the Des Moines area.

The Waukee City Council and the Waukee school district took action in May 2016 to deal with the influx. They approved the joint use of 160 acres of green space for a new high school and a city-owned sports complex. The yet-to-be-named 395,000-square-foot, 1,800-student capacity high school will reside just north of Hickman Road near the Waukee Family YMCA.

Most of the land will be used for the school and its amenities with the remaining space slated for 12 softball/baseball fields and a parking lot.

Voters had to approve a referendum for $117 million in general obligation bonds for the new high school in February to make the project a reality. It required 60 percent for passage. It got 90.27 percent.

Meeting Short-Term Needs

The Waukee Innovation and Learning Center—a facility for innovative partnerships between local businesses, the community and high school students—may be used to house additional Waukee High School programs until the second high school opens. Details are still being worked out.

Ten Elementary Schools by 2022

The district is also adding two elementary schools to accommodate growth. Radiant Elementary, at 5050 170th St. in Urbandale, is under construction and expected to open in the fall of 2019.

Land has been purchased for a tenth elementary school off Ashworth Road, west of Ute Avenue and Highway R22. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2020 and it’s expected to open in 2022. A name for the elementary school has not been determined.

In the meantime, Nicole Lawrence, Communications Coordinator with Waukee Community School District, said the district is closely monitoring enrollment and bringing on new teachers to ensure classrooms stay at an appropriate size.

News about the district’s progress on the elementary and high school fronts has sparked questions about the middle schools as well. The district’s website dedicated to providing information about the second high school addressed the issue by stating it will monitor updated enrollment data and then make plans for how to accommodate students at the middle level.

The New High School’s Design

The concept for the new high school was developed through a six-month immersive design process between FRK Architects & Engineers, district administration and a visioning committee comprised of parents, students, staff and community members.

“In a series of three visioning sessions, the committee learned about current standards and trends in high schools around the country, reviewed multiple layouts from newer high schools and then created building layouts to reflect district values,” said Lawrence.

Feedback from the committee was used to create the building’s three-story layout, which includes a rooftop terrace, a media center with a second-floor mezzanine, an auditorium with a second-floor balcony and orchestra pit, a commons area for students and several individual and group learning areas for students and staff.

There will also be a single, secure entrance for staff, students and visitors during school hours.

“Open, light-filled spaces that promote collaboration and student development were high priorities for the committee, with student safety being a top priority,” said David Briden, Senior Project Architect and Principal with FRK Architects & Engineers.

Incorporating a pond on to the campus was also an important and notable feature when designing the school’s layout.

“A natural drainage channel through the center of the site allowed a pond to be placed as a focal point around which the city and school district facilities could be developed,” said Briden. “Placing the building adjacent to the pond allows it to take advantage of views over the pond to the north. The natural slope of the terrain creates a structure that tucks into the hillside, helping to marry the large scale of the building with the site.”

As instructional methods and learning styles continue to evolve, Briden said each classroom space would be adaptable and future-ready for students.

The school parking lot will be ready for newly licensed drivers, too, with enough room for 1,360 stalls.

Athletic Facilities

Lawrence said that while the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union (IGHSAU) ultimately determine sports classifications, the district anticipates each high school to compete at the 4A – IHSAA and 5A – IGHSAU level.

“Both high schools will offer similar programming and opportunities to students,” she added.

The second high school’s outdoor athletic facilities will feature a football stadium with a field and track, four practice fields, 12 tennis courts, and baseball and softball competition and practice fields. Additional amenities such as concession stands and team rooms are also included in plans.

The stadium will be built in a bowl-type setting into the ground. Inside, the school will have a gymnasium seating 2,500, an auxiliary gymnasium, and a three-lane track.

Parents Embrace the Second High School

Abby Jones, a Waukee parent whose fifth-grade son could be attending the second high school said the addition was a definite need for the community.

“It’s amazing to think how this area has grown in such a short period,” said Jones. “When I attended the University of Iowa, I remember some of my classmates from the Chicago suburbs said they graduated with a class of 1,000. That seemed huge, but we’re not far behind those numbers anymore.”

“I really think so much of our growth can be attributed to the school district’s commitment to offering students a truly high-quality education,” she added.

During the 2015-2016 school year, 855 kindergarten students enrolled in the district—a sign of even larger classes to come.

 

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