History
A high-quality public education system has always been a hallmark of the state of Iowa. Historically, we have been a leader in K-12 educational outcomes, but our student achievement has declined over the last two decades.
In 2013, Mark Jacobs launched Reaching Higher Iowa (RHI) to advocate for educational reform. RHI successfully advocated for the implementation of universal statewide assessments aligned to academic standards.
The success of that advocacy work expanded to a new non-profit organization called Great Public Schools for Iowa (GPSI) in 2021. GPSI successfully advocated for the passage of a law allowing for public charter schools to be set up outside of traditional school districts. In July of 2023, GPSI hired Mike Huguelet as its first Executive Director. GPSI rebranded as the Iowa Coalition for Public Charter Schools and accelerated its mission statewide.
In its first two years of operation (2023-25), the Iowa Coalition has:
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Helped facilitate the approval of 14 new public charter schools statewide: 3 in Cedar Rapids, 1 in Crescent (Council Bluffs), 3 in Davenport, 7 in Des Moines
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Supported the launch of 3 new public charter schools:
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Horizon Science Academy in Des Moines- a STEM-focused K-12 school
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Great Oaks HS in Des Moines- a credit recovery HS to get opportunity youth (HS dropouts) diplomas & trades
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Empowering Excellence HS in Cedar Rapids- a credit recovery HS for opportunity youth
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Successfully advocated for the passage of 3 new laws (SF 2368, HF 190, and HF 785), which improved operating conditions increased parity in per pupil funding for public charter schools
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Successfully advocated with Governor Reynolds for the establishment of a $7 million Charter School Start-up Fund
