Columbus Jct Community Schools
Iowa Jobs For America's Graduates
Columbus Jct., IA

Contact Person: Dianne Bohling
Title of Contact: Education Specialist

Contact Information:
1210 Colton Street
Columbus Junction, IA 52738
319-728-2911
dbohling@columbus.k12.ia.us

Highlights
(a) – Activities
Resume writing
Work based learning—Students are paired with a career mentor
Project based learning—Portfolios, Senior Exit Interviews
Leadership training through Career Association
Community Service

(b) – Outcomes
*Students leave high school with a resume and the knowledge to continue to build a
resume as needed
*Students find out where their talents can be most utilized, learn what skills are needed
for particular career interests, build relationships with caring adults, learn what they don’t
want to do, learn what post secondary training is necessary to pursue particular careers,
get financial support to pursue a post secondary education in particular career.
*Students use different talents and skills to develop projects—computer skills, presentation skills
*Students develop leadership through peer competitions, making decisions about their education,
learn to work with a diverse population, team building
*Students learn about their community, students take ownership in their community, students
have a voice in their community

Level
9-12

Location
Rural

Funding
Education Bill in the legislature
WIA
Corporate world

Demographics
Columbus Junction has a population of 1900. It is a small rural community that changed forever 18 years ago when a meat packing plant (IBP) came to town. The school district is 41% Caucasian, 68.3% low socioeconomic and 22% LEP. Today Columbus Junction is a thriving community with a significant Hispanic population. Our children learn to appreciate cultures different from their own.

Program Features

1. Outcome data system
2. School-based enterprise
3. Innovative strategies for promoting and measuring social/emotional, physical well-being
4. Family outreach
5. Community collaboration
6. Aggressive outreach
7. Learning styles/multiple intelligences
8. Positive approaches to discipline
9. Personalized planning
10. Promotes caring relationships
11. Student voice and leadership
12. Non-traditional timelines
13. Innovative academic strategies
14. Mentoring/tutoring
15. Reducing absenteeism
16. Other innovative strategies