Iowa BIG

Iowa BIG represents a unique partnership between the Cedar Rapids Community School District and our local business community. It is a competency-based program that allows high school students to spend part of their school day working on professional projects that make a tangible impact.

How It Works

Unlike traditional courses, Iowa BIG focuses on Competency-Based Education. Students earn credit by demonstrating mastery of academic standards through active, hands-on work. The program is built on five core pillars:

• learner co-designed coursework

Learner Co-Designed Coursework: Students have a voice in shaping their projects and learning paths.

Standards & 21st Century Skills: Students prove their ability in both core academics and modern professional skills.

Professional Networking: Development of the interpersonal skills necessary to navigate diverse workplace relationships.

Design Thinking: A specialized problem-solving framework used to connect content to real-world solutions.

Community Connection: Authentic resume-building experiences that solve actual problems for local organizations.

Is Iowa BIG Right for You?

If you are a high school student looking to expand your education beyond the classroom walls and start building a professional network before graduation, Iowa BIG offers the perfect bridge to your future career.

Learn More: For a deeper look at current projects and how to enroll, visit iowabig.org.