Cedar Valley West Communities
The Cedar Valley West (CVW) is a multi-district initiative inspired by the book Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America by Patrick J. Carr and Maria J. Kefalas. The design and implementation of this initiative was lead by regional superintendents who were looking to expand the opportunities and viability of their own and surrounding communities while simultaneously promoting the value of life in rural America. The four school districts working together as part of the Cedar Valley West are Aplington-Parkersburg, Dike-New Hartford, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, and Grundy Center.
The CVW has three primary functions:
- Develop workplace readiness for students
- Retain quality students through exposure to all CVW communities
- Attract new residents as well as alumni
By collaborating as districts, the CVW is expanding opportunities for students to develop both the academic and technical skills to be successful in life. Expansion of academic offerings began with the creation of the Western Outreach Center that is located just south of US 20 on Highway14. Extensions of this collaboration give rise to continued opportunities for community growth and expansion by working together in promoting what we off as a region.
