Kids take ownership of their learning at new Cedar Rapids Prep charter school

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CEDAR RAPIDS — Mandee Beardsley was looking for a different learning environment for her son Kyler when she learned about Cedar Rapids Prep, a new charter school in Cedar Rapids.

Just a couple months into the school year, Kyler Beardsley, 12, said at Cedar Rapids Prep, his peers are more focused and engaged in their learning. He’s even taking a leadership class taught by the school’s Principal Justin Blietz, where he learned his strengths include empathy, valuing relationships and genuine connection with other people, and that he’s forward thinking.

“It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I wish there had been other opportunities earlier,” Mandee said about enrolling Kyler in Cedar