CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Hundreds of current and former students, teachers, families and community members celebrated the 50th anniversary of Metro High School, complete with a tree planting from NASA.
The gathering, at 1212 Seventh St. SE, took place on the grounds of the former Tyler Elementary School, where Metro High School has been located since 1982.
See photos from Garfield and Arthur elementary schools, which are closing at the end of this year.
In honor of its milestone, Metro was selected by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement as one of 50 recipients nationwide to receive a NASA Artemis I Moon Tree seedling.
The American sycamore, whose seed journeyed around the moon on the Artemis I mission and returned to Earth in 2022, was planted in Metro’s courtyard “to symbolize growth and inspiration for decades to come.”
Kali Muhlbauer, a first-year biology and forensics teacher at Metro, submitted the in-depth application, which included what the tree would mean for the school and the students, she said.
First-year Metro teacher Kali Muhlbauer sits for photos on the planter box created at Metro High School for the tree from NASA. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Muhlbauer said she just found out recently that Metro was selected as one of the 50 recipients to receive the honor out of thousands of applicants.
Metro was established in 1974 to provide students with a variety of learning opportunities to meet Cedar Rapids Community School District graduation requirements.
According to the school’s website, its guiding philosophy is contained in its name: Mastering Educational Tasks Regardless of Obstacles.
Originally located at 404 17th St. SE, the school moved to its current location in 1982 after Tyler Elementary closed. The school was built in 1970.
See photos from Franklin Middle School’s centennial celebration
Dedication of a 50-year plaque was among activities during the Metro High School anniversary celebration on May 30, 2024. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Updates to Metro’s gymnasium were on the Cedar Rapids School District’s bond referendum that failed last November.
At just over $841,000, the gym expansion and locker room improvements were the least expensive proposal and would have been a fraction of the $220 million the district was seeking.
Although they emphasized the need for the upgrade before the vote, the School Board has not discussed how the Metro project might be funded through other sources, such as SAVE dollars, or the district’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL fund.
The School Board has, however, voted to use more than that amount to fund upgrades to the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, a building the district does not own, through its taxpayer-supported PPEL fund.
Voters will decide this year whether or not to extend the PPEL.
Read more: CR School District agrees to $1 million-plus contract with Metro Economic Alliance and see more photos from the open house at Metro High School:
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