Class of 2024 plans for wide-ranging locations after graduation

As 1,000 plus high school students say goodbye to the old high school, most will be welcoming the new one near the University of Northern Iowa campus, but 437 students will be saying goodbye to the high school experience altogether as they graduate and walk the stage.

The 2024 graduating class is the biggest graduating class that Cedar Falls has seen.

Where will the old high school’s last class be headed in its final year as a school building?

Well, according to counselor Chris Wood, the counselors have already met with “all but 80 seniors regarding their post-secondary steps. Many of these students graduated early or are still awaiting their meeting with their school counselor to share their next steps.”

According to the most recent senior survey data, a total “of 35 graduates are spreading their wings and heading out of state,” according to Wood. “Graduates are venturing far and wide, with the top 5 states being Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas and Nebraska.” Locations for out-of-state graduates include the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Washington University, Vanderbilt University and the Air Force Academy.

Alongside these 35 out-of-state graduates, there are “three to five adventurous souls venturing beyond borders for their education,” including some considering Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Woods said, “280 of our graduates have chosen to stay in-state for their further studies.”

Alongside these numbers, Woods said “around 5-10 of our students have decided to take a gap year to explore, gain experience or pursue personal passions before diving into their academic endeavors.”

Most staying in Iowa though are keeping it close to home with, “27 percent to Hawkeye Community College, 19 percent to University of Iowa, 18 percent to UNI and 13% to Iowa State,” according to Wood.