Opportunity Education to Open Three Schools in Iowa

It’s an exciting time for Opportunity Education and our network of schools, as we prepare to open three schools in Iowa: Des Moines Prep, Cedar Rapids Prep, and Davenport Prep. Des Moines Prep and Cedar Rapids Prep will welcome students in August, while Davenport Prep will open in 2026. All three schools will offer students a premier learning experience that’s rooted in excellence and joy.

Des Moines Prep will serve students from 9th grade through 12th grade, starting with our founding 9th grade class. The school will be located in the historic East Village neighborhood, blocks from the State Capitol building. Plans are already underway to convert the existing building and neighboring properties into a state-of-the-art campus that will transform how students experience a high school education. 

Renderings of the future Des Moines campus: common area and theater

 

Cedar Rapids Prep will grow to serve students from 6th grade through 12th grade, starting with 6th and 7th grade this fall. The school will be located on a 19-acre campus that will leverage the natural beauty of the area, and include a turf field, gymnasium, theater, student union, and state-of-the-art classrooms. To further enhance the school’s STEM focus, an Esports center, a competition-level robotics space, and various innovative spaces will provide students future-forward experiences.

Renderings of the future Cedar Rapids campus: lab and common area

 

In the midst of the excitement around our first two Iowa schools, we were thrilled to receive the unanimous approval from the Iowa State Board of Education for Davenport Prep, scheduled to open in the fall of 2026. 

The journey to this milestone began late last year when we visited Davenport and met with key stakeholders, including political, education, non-profit, and municipal leaders. Through these conversations, we gained invaluable insights into the needs of Davenport students and the community’s vision for educational opportunities.

As we move forward, we are excited to continue partnering with the local communities to ensure Cedar Rapids Prep, Des Moines Prep, and Davenport Prep become cornerstones of educational excellence as the premier schools in each of their respective communities. Stay tuned for updates as we finalize plans and prepare to welcome our first Iowa students this fall!

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