CommunityLink

Red Oak, IA

Education

Red Oak Community School District

Vision: “The Red Oak Community School District will provide opportunities and experiences for all students in a safe, positive learning environment in order that they become functional, lifelong learners who are tolerant, responsible, productive citizens in a global society.”

Mission: “The Red Oak Community School District dedicates itself to providing opportunities for all students to reach their maximum academic and social development in order to function in a free society.”

With a certified enrollment of over 1,300 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, the Red Oak Community School District is working every day to ensure that its students are not only ready for the challenges of the workplace, but are also ready to contribute to their community.

Four schools within the district serve the distinct needs of different age groups:

• Inman Primary School: kindergarten through grade three
• Washington Intermediate School: grades four and five
• Red Oak Middle School: grades six through eight
• Red Oak High School: grades nine through 12

In addition, preschool children whose parents meet income guidelines are served through the Right Start Preschool Program, which is accredited under NAEYC standards. At the other end of the educational spectrum, high school students who need a different approach to the regular educational setting may attend the Alternative High School to take classes and earn credits toward graduation.

The staff members in all of the schools strive to provide positive educational experiences that allow all students to find success. With a philosophy that “the ultimate purpose of education is to help students become effective citizens of a democracy,” the Red Oak Community School District combines a thorough grounding in the basic skills of reading, writing and math with courses and opportunities that expand students’ horizons.

At Inman Primary School and Washington Intermediate School, younger students gain early exposure to skills they will need throughout their education and work careers. Hands-on learning is a focus in these schools, as students experience learning computer skills in computer lab and even get to experiment and learn from simple machinery as early as third grade. History, reading and writing projects give students critical literacy and presentation skills, while music, drama and art programs not only foster talent, but also confidence.

At Red Oak Middle School, teachers continue the process of creative education, involving students in engaging projects that keep the love of learning strong. Hands-on experiences continue to make learning more personal and meaningful for students, while increasing opportunities to participate in arts, student organizations and athletics recognize the maturing capabilities of middle school learners.

Students at Red Oak High School become fully focused on preparing for their future roles in the community and the workplace. They enjoy courses and opportunities that foster a sense of world citizenship and develop critical thinking skills, like 21st Century World Problems, foreign languages, mentoring of younger students and community outreach service. Advanced mathematics, technology, business and science courses like statistics, calculus, computer programming, marketing and anatomy build the skills needed for the hottest jobs in the modern technological workplace. Language and arts courses like rhetoric, oral communication, literature and musical studies help to develop a well-rounded individual capable of articulate and knowledgeable expression.

Preparing students for the workplace is an essential role of all public schools, and Red Oak High School not only prepares students for the technological age through advanced mathematics, science and computer courses, but also through career-specific courses like architectural design, manufacturing, carpentry and engineering design. Recognizing the important role agriculture plays in the lives of students and the region, the district offers several agri-business courses as well as an active Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization.

Students have the opportunity to earn college credits through Advanced Placement courses, courses that are
articulated with Southwestern Community College and through post-secondary enrollment option courses. A broad variety of arts, athletics and student organizations round out a complete education.

Red Oak High School enjoys a graduation rate that’s above state averages, and students may compete for any of
several scholarships made possible through the generous support of community organizations and Red Oak Community School District Foundation donors.

Red Oak Technology Center

Red Oak is home to the new, state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot Technology Center, a cooperative effort among the school district, Southwestern Community College, Buena Vista University, Bellevue University, local businesses and industries, and private funding sources.

High school courses in industrial technology, agriculture and business are offered in the Technology Center, which is also the site of the district Iowa Communications Network (ICN) room that is utilized by the school, AEA and community groups. College credit and adult education courses are offered at the Technology Center through Southwestern Community College. These courses are offered to adults and to Red Oak High School students, as well as to high school students from other communities throughout the area. In addition, the Technology Center hosts four-year college courses through Bellevue University and Buena Vista University.

Approximately 4,500 square feet is dedicated to the use of local industries for training of their personnel.

Southwestern Community College

Founded in 1966, Southwestern Community College is a comprehensive community college serving all of AEA Area XIV, which includes the city of Red Oak and Montgomery County. Southwestern offers associate’s degrees in college transfer, career option and vocational programs, continuing education seminars, and industrial development activities. Southwestern Community College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Institutions of Higher Education.

Southwestern Community College’s Red Oak Center was opened in 1985 to serve the Montgomery County area. The center offers college credit, adult education and GED courses, as well as customized training for local businesses. In addition to classrooms, two Iowa Communications Network (ICN) rooms and a computer lab are available. The Red Oak Technology Center provides additional classrooms for Southwestern’s Tech Prep programs in business systems networking, carpentry and health occupations. The Technology Center also houses faculty offices and the college science lab.

Academic programs available in Red Oak include accounting, arts and sciences, business administration, business systems networking, industrial electronics, and nursing (RN).

In addition to on-site classes, Southwestern offers distance-learning opportunities using the ICN, the Internet and telecourses offered through Iowa Public Television.

Bellevue University

While Bellevue University’s main campus is in Bellevue, Nebraska, just 48 miles from Red Oak, the regionally accredited university offers classes at the Red Oak Technology Center.

A four-year institution offering more than 45 bachelor’s degrees and six graduate degrees, Bellevue University opened its Red Oak satellite campus to support student demand and flexibility in degree completion. In addition to the four-year college courses offered in Red Oak, Bellevue University further facilitates higher education and career development through its series of online courses.

Buena Vista University

Located in the northwest Iowa community of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University offers 34 majors, 33 minors and 15 pre-professional programs.

Among 15 satellite sites located throughout the state, Buena Vista University holds courses at the Red Oak Technology Center, offering degree programs in areas
specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of area students. Available majors through the Red Oak site include business education, elementary education, management/entrepreneurship and psychology.

Through an articulation agreement with Buena Vista University, Southwestern Community College students can move smoothly from attaining their associate’s degree to pursuing a bachelor’s degree.