FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is a unique program part of Cedar Falls High School designed to fully immerse students in professional environments, bridging the gap between the educational and business communities. Students work on value-added projects for various businesses and organizations, thereby gaining practical experience that goes beyond the classroom.

    The mission of CAPS is to prepare all students for their purpose in life. This preparation focuses on developing the durable skills that businesses value in their workforce—skills like resilience, problem-solving, collaboration, initiative, and effective communication. One of the core philosophies of CAPS is "wayfinding," helping students navigate their work paths through our "pathways to purpose" process.

    CAPS places a strong emphasis on community engagement, actively seeking partnerships with local businesses and organizations. The program is not only beneficial for the students but also adds value to the community through projects, keeping local talent engaged and contributing to local needs.

  • CAPS places a profound emphasis on preparing students for the future by focusing on "durable skills" - the essential competencies that are universal across industries and crucial for long-term success. These include communication, organization, problem-solving, growth mindset, resilience, and critical thinking, among others.

    In order to develop durable skills at a high level, CAPS fully immerses students in a professional environment with various projects and experiences. This approach not only enhances their understanding of different industries but also gives them practical experience in applying their durable skills in a professional setting. By focusing on these durable skills, CAPS ensures that students are not just academically prepared but are also ready to meet the challenges of the real world, irrespective of the industry they choose to enter.

  • CF CAPS is for Junior and Senior High Schoolers. We believe in reducing barriers to quality educational experiences, so we have no prerequisites for enrollment. This means that you don't need to complete specific courses to join CAPS, making it open to any high school student interested in gaining hands-on, real-world experience. Whether you've had exposure to a particular field or are just starting to explore, our program is designed to accommodate you.

  • -Eligibility: Students must have junior or senior status.

    -Collaborative Mindset: Students must believe in the collaboration between education, business, and the community.

    -Value Addition: A commitment to adding value to our business partners is essential.

    -Openness: Be open to exploring new possibilities and opportunities.

    -Profession-Based Learning: A willingness to engage in a real-world professional environment is required.

    -Professionalism: Students must demonstrate business ethics and adhere to professional dress codes based on their field of study.

    -Reliable Transportation: eliable transportation is required for this course. This can be accomplished by a student providing their own transportation or initiating a ride share with a friend in the course. If transportation is an obstacle, reach out to your counselor.

  • -Curriculum Development: Partners can collaborate to develop and enhance the program's curriculum.

    -Authentic Projects: Offer real-world projects and engaging experiences for students to work on.

    -Skill Modeling: Act as role models by demonstrating professional skills essential for various industries.

    -Mentorship: Serve as mentors to guide students in their professional growth and development.

    -Donations: Contribute equipment and supplies that are relevant to the curriculum and student projects.

    -On-Site Courses: Host CAPS courses at your business location to provide an immersive learning experience.

    -Immersion Experiences: Offer internship opportunities to students, allowing them to gain practical, hands-on experience.

  • Treat us as the dedicated team you’ve hired. We’re here to work diligently on your project, ensuring it aligns with your goals and expectations.

    You start by submitting a project. Next, we’ll have a discovery meeting to align our goals and expectations. We meet every two weeks at a minimum, for an hour to ensure the project is on the right track.

    The commitment in terms of time and resources is manageable. We aim to ensure the process is smooth and beneficial for you, without overwhelming your schedule. Regular meetings are scheduled to keep you updated and make sure the project is aligning with your expectations. It’s a partnership where your involvement makes a significant difference. Think of yourself as the grandparent, not the parent, in this scenario. You get to guide and interact with young professionals working on your project, while we handle the supervision and detailed management. This regular touchpoint is vital for the project’s success.

  • When we talk about projects, the possibilities are endless. Anything could be a project, and together, we’ll lay out the outcomes and paths to success.

    We suggest focusing on those projects that, while may not be of the highest priority for your business, still represent real challenges and opportunities for innovation. We're referring to those projects rated as 8, 9, or 10 in terms of priority.

    These are not the urgent tasks that your own staff need to address immediately, but they are significant enough to warrant attention and resolution. A good CAPS project is one that tackles these lower-priority but essential tasks, turning 'burrs' or 'pains' into opportunities for improvement and innovation. By addressing these projects, we not only provide a solution to a lingering issue but also free up your team to focus on higher-priority tasks.