Educates students

Here in the Charles City Community Schools, our ambition for our students is reflected in our vision: “To develop learners who are competent, compassionate, problem solvers” while raising student achievement across all areas.

Our district—which features two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school—combines a small-town setting with big-school opportunities. Students have access to a wide range of academic and co-curricular programs, including transitional kindergarten, full-day preschool, open learning spaces for collaboration, after-school clubs, and partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

Ours is a school district on the rise, and we work hard to hold our students to high expectations. It’s one of the reasons our district has attracted exceptional educators throughout our region.

About the Charles City community

Located in north central Iowa on the beautiful Cedar River, Charles City is known for its livability, cultural amenities, great public spaces, rich employment opportunities, and top-quality schools.

Twice named as an Iowa Great Place, Charles City earned one of the first Iowa Cultural & Entertainment District designations by the state. Residents and visitors alike can take in a show at the Charles Theatre or explore the exhibits at the Charles City Arts Center or Mooney Art Gallery. The city also boasts an extensive collection of outdoor public art.

Over the years, Charles City has racked up an impressive number of honors, including being named the Iowa Tourism Community of the Year, a Named Capital Community, and an Iowa Shines Community. We are also a two-time America In Bloom national community beautification contest winner, as well as a two-time semifinalist for the national Great American Main Street Award. In 2013, Charles City received the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement.

One of the top highlights of the Charles City community is our public parks system. There are 12 public parks in the city alone, including two public playground parks, a dog park, and a 5.5-mile recreational trail. We also feature Iowa’s first whitewater river park, and residents can enjoy 32 county parks and wildlife areas.

Our region benefits from a robust business sector, with over 300 companies that provide a good mix of local and chain retail shops, professional services, healthcare resources, and much more. Major employers include Zoetis, Cambrex Charles City, Valero Renewables, Winnebago Industries, and the Charles City Community School District—each with hundreds of employees.

We invite you to see for yourself all the rich opportunities Charles City has to offer!