A new program at Mid-Prairie is providing opportunities for students beyond high school curriculum. ‘Beyond Mid-Prairie’ is in its first year. Program Director and Mid-Prairie teacher Traci Zahradnek shares with KCII News how the program works and its goals. “I work with high school students and those who are starting our ‘Beyond’ program. Part of it was due to the ways that the state have re-arraigned things and funding. In the past,  the state would have provided services to kids but because of changes that now falls on local school districts. We want to work with kids on ways to be more independent, so they can be community members. Hopefully for some, they get job skills so that they can have a job.”

The students who participate spend their time in a classroom space that replicates a small apartment to learn skills such as cooking, cleaning and more to be as self sufficient as possible. Zahradnek shares what it’s like to oversee the program and watch the students learn. “It’s really exciting. Just seeing the growth in the kids over the last four to five years. Knowing that we are helping them so they can go out into their lives and be independent and be part of a community that welcomes them is pretty cool.”

If you would like to donate items or find out more about the program you can visit the Mid-Prairie High School website or call 319-646-6091.