The Council Bluffs Community School District is exploring the possibility of opening a new STEM Innovation Charter High School in the fall of 2027 that would provide an exciting opportunity for our region’s students to develop STEM-focused skills with direct connections to careers. 

In this non-traditional, STEM-focused high school, students would earn a specialized diploma and college credentials while experiencing high-level learning through projects and innovation, with the involvement of industry partners and business experts. 

The creation of this possible high school is in strategic response to the demand for a modern, flexible educational model that directly addresses industry needs and prepares students for college degrees and high-paying, high-demand careers in current and emerging fields. Careers in STEM exist in nearly every corporation and industry.

As a public school-sponsored charter high school, governed by the local elected school board, enrollment would be tuition-free for families. Our top priority is to design educational programming that will come alive in modern learning and lab spaces to support students’ interests and future needs. 

The Council Bluffs Community School District has a proven track record of innovation, programs and partnerships that elevate opportunities for students beyond the traditional educational experience. In 2017, under the new leadership of Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo, a vision emerged “to provide more opportunities for all students and re-imagine education in our schools.” She has led the district-wide approach to ensure the strategic evolution of pathways and opportunities in college and career preparation so that students in the Council Bluffs schools have every opportunity to earn an extra credential along with their high school diploma. More than 90% of the most recent graduates earned a meaningful industry-recognized diploma, certificate or degree that sets them apart from their peers and opens doors to success.

This strategic approach to ensuring students are future-ready has gained state and national attention because of the success it has generated, especially as school districts strive to deliver relevant and future-focused academic programs. Ensuring all students have access to no-cost programs that allow them to earn credentials is exactly the vision Dr. Murillo has brought to life for the students in the Council Bluffs Community School District.