This spring, the City High mock trial program won its second state championship. 

“The motto ‘The School That Leads’ very much applies to our mock trial team,” said senior Amal Eltayib. “We are known for being one of the best teams in the state.” 

The Little Hawks argued the final round before a panel of legal experts in the Iowa Supreme Court chambers. The presiding judge was Iowa Supreme Court Justice Matthew McDermott. 

With the victory, City High advanced to represent the state of Iowa at the national championship, which will run from May 7-9 in Des Moines. 

We are excited to announce that registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open! We encourage you to take this early opportunity to register your student(s) for the next school year.

As a reminder, all families are required to register their students in Infinite Campus each year. Please use the appropriate link below to register your child(ren). Remember to select the school year “26-27” to register for next year.

Our District continues to see strong progress in student outcomes, highlighted by rising graduation rates and declining dropout rates. This year, the district achieved some of its highest 4-year and 5-year graduation rates in over a decade, with the 4-year rate reaching its highest point since 2016 and the 5-year rate marking its highest level since 2019. These gains reflect consistent growth over time and a sustained focus on helping students stay on track to graduate.

At this time, the Iowa City Community School District is seeking qualified partners to provide comprehensive out-of-school-time programming at Alexander, Garner, Twain, and Grant Wood Elementary Schools. Questions regarding the RFP can be emailed to Amy Clair, Coordinator of Extended Day Learning at basp@iowacityschools.org.

The Iowa City Community School District School Board has named Pat Moore as the district’s next chief financial officer. Moore will join the district on July 1, 2026, pending school board approval on April 14.

Moore was offered the job after formal interviews with two finalists on March 26th. Interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders from the district and larger community, including administrators, staff members, community leaders, and school board members. 

On Feb. 6, senior Taylor Cavanh capped a pioneering career for the Liberty girls wrestling team with an eighth-place finish at State. Wrestling at 2A 105 lbs, it was Cavanh’s first time on the podium at Xtreme Arena in Coralville.

Firsts are nothing new for Cavanh, who was one of just nine founding Liberty team members when the sport was sanctioned in Iowa four years ago. This season, the program she helped to grow finished fifth at State with eight qualifiers and six medalists. 

Kindergarten Registration is Now Open for the 2026–27 School Year!

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 15, 2026? If so, it’s time to register for Kindergarten!

LEARN MORE: www.IowaCitySchools.org/Kindergarten

Preschool registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open! All of our preschool teachers are certified in both general and special education, and we offer free half-day programming for 4-year-olds at all of our elementary schools, with full-day tuition options also available at all locations. In addition, we have limited spots available at select schools for 3-year-old children.

The Center for Innovation is expanding hands-on, career-connected learning through programs like the Junior Achievement Dream Accelerator and new Kirkwood Career Academies. Students explore career interests through classroom lessons, interactive simulations, and real-world experiences while earning Work-Based Learning credit and Industry-Recognized Credentials. New health care pathways and future academies in Pre-Nursing, Education, and Business will continue to expand postsecondary opportunities for students.

Our Welcome Center is a place for school registration support for both families who are new to the area and current families who need assistance. Families can register for school, get their questions answered, set up school tours, and connect with school and community supports and resources. The goal is to make families feel welcome and connected during the enrollment process, while reducing barriers and building relationships.