Republicans in the Iowa Legislature are moving quickly to approve bills that would allow tax dollars that support public schools to be diverted to private schools, and further limit the control local school boards have over the schools in their districts. Gov. Kim Reynolds listed both actions as top priorities in her Condition of State […]
Iowa City West High
High school seniors long for a ‘feeling of closure’ while awaiting graduation ceremony decision

High schoolers in the Iowa City Community School District spend four years in a variety of different clubs and classes, but in May of their senior year, they all expect to walk across the stage and receive their diploma at Carver Hawkeye Arena. That is, until this year. As seniors finish the last weeks of […]
Iowa City schools’ meals-to-go program makes a change, after construction worker at West High tests positive for COVID-19

The Iowa City Community School District is temporarily moving one of its grab-and-go meal sites, after a worker at a construction project in one of its schools tested positive for COVID-19. It is ICCSD’s first confirmed case of the virus. “This evening, we were notified that an individual working on the construction project at West […]
In their first season, the West High girls wrestling team has built a culture of tenacity and fun

The Iowa City West High School wrestling room is adorned with state championships flags and photos of young men standing on winners podiums, with medals around their necks. Though the decor celebrates the accomplishments of male athletes throughout West’s 57 years, the school’s first ever girls wrestling team is making Trojan history on the mat. […]
‘I want to know that I’m healthy’: Two local students on starting — and quitting — vaping

Although e-cigarettes were allegedly created to help adults give up their smoking habits, they quickly became a starter pack for young people to consume nicotine. With flavors such as watermelon, mango and mint, e-cigarette suppliers have been accused of enticing young people with their product. […]
Footnotes on the 2020 Caucus: A first-time voter encounters buddy-buddy candidates and rude reporters at the Iowa State Fair

The annual two-week phenomenon that is the Iowa State Fair is well-known for its amply supply of pigs, people, meals on sticks and, once every four years, its parade of presidential candidates. Livestock gets judged in the various barns at the fairgrounds, and candidates get judged at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox […]
Local high school students are energized to vote, and principals and teachers hope to stoke it

The 2018 midterm election, widely regarded as one of the most important elections in recent history, is underway. Candidates nationwide have focused less on swaying voters and more on mobilizing them, particularly those who have never voted before. And one of the biggest pools of first-time voters is young people. Many 18-year-old high school students […]
West High teacher wins national science education grant

An Iowa City West High School science teacher is one of 50 educators nationwide to be awarded an Advocate grant by the Society for Science and the Public. Carolyn Walling will receive $3,000 from the Society’s Advocate program, which attempts to “expand opportunities for underrepresented and low-income students by helping them to develop STEM projects,” […]
Iowa City’s high school girls basketball dynasty

The Iowa City West High School girls basketball team’s victory over City High’s previously undefeated team in the finals of the Class 5A state championship on March 2 wasn’t just a great game, it was a history-making one. For profiles of City High Coach Bill McTaggart and West Coach BJ Mayer, Little Village turned to the experts — high school journalists.
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An open letter to Iowa representatives on gun control

My name is Ellie Brown and I go to West High school in Iowa City, Iowa. I love school and I love learning, but everyday I wake up terrified to go to school. I tell myself that nothing could happen in a little old town in the middle of Iowa, but I have to face the terrifying fact that my school could be the next school that we hear about on the news, being sent thoughts and prayers. […]
The Me Too domino effect in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and beyond

“This fight is for all of us. It is not a fight for just survivors,” said Katryn Duarte, assistant director for sexual assault services at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP). “If we really want to eliminate sexual violence, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on what that means and how to stop it.” […]
Op-Ed: West High women are taking their power back

“Boys will be boys” is a phrase that gets ingrained in everyone’s head from a young age. However, not once in my life have I heard the phrase “girls will be girls.” I came face-to-face with this realization a few weeks ago when something circulated my high school that would change the community forever. […]