'Endless, endless possibilities:' New Edison Academy building opens in Bettendorf

Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley and North Scott officials gathered Wednesday to unveil Edison Academy's new location after nearly six months of construction.

Edison — the districts' alternative high school consortium — is now located at 3066 Victoria St. in Bettendorf, just across the street from Bettendorf High School's south parking lot. Formerly housing office space, the new Edison facility mirrors a smaller modern school, featuring a secure entryway, flexible-use space and a four-classroom addition.

"We're very pleased to see something that looks classy," principal Jeff Blackwell said. "Our kids and our staff, for years, have been used to something that isn't. They made it work, because they're just that good, but this will be pretty amazing for them."

Total project costs landed at roughly $4.3 million, paid for by Bettendorf schools using SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) dollars .

"Today, we celebrate not just a building, but the endless, endless possibilities it represents," said Bettendorf Superintendent Michelle Morse before Wednesday's ribbon-cutting.

"This beautiful facility is a testament to the collective vision, hard work and dedication of so many, from our former school board directors to (current) directors; community partners and elected officials to our passionate educators and staff," she said, thanking all who were involved. "We look forward to seeing our students excel within these walls and carry their knowledge forward into a bright future."

Bettendorf Alderman Greg Adamson and district outreach coordinator Mica Frandsen, a graduate of former Edison program Project READY, also spoke Wednesday. Multiple local lawmakers, including Iowa Reps. Mike Vondran and Gary Mohr, were in attendance.

As previously reported , the former Edison building at 438 16th St. in Bettendorf saw its most recent upgrades in the early 2000s. The new, more centralized location — and close proximity to Bettendorf High School — aims to give students more learning opportunities, particularly via career and technical education (CTE) pathways.

"The old space feels like home, but this new space is just going to offer (students) so many more opportunities," said Marcy Volkstorf, counselor at Edison. "Social-emotional health is at the forefront of what I do, and we have space now to bring in different community partners."

To Blackwell, the new facility's security upgrades stand out most.

"The fact that we can better protect our kids and staff is a feature I'm very appreciative for," he said.

Edison seniors Tahviona Akers and Aidaen Pepin both said the water fountains are among their favorite new features — particularly, because they're useable.

"We had one little water fountain (before) ... the water just tasted like chemicals. It was so bad, no one ever drank out of it," Akers said. "We didn't think this was going to be the amazing building they were trying to make it seem, but over the summer, they got a lot done and it looks very nice."

To her, it feels like a "real" — or traditional — high school.

"I really like how we have a bigger cafeteria space," Akers said to this point.

Pepin called the old Edison building — a former post office — a "big mess" and said it was noticeably old.

"When I walked in here and got to see all the new designs, classrooms, the bathrooms ... it made me feel really good," he said. "It makes me feel like we're moving forward."

Edison students and staff will also have access to Bettendorf High School's new Brain Health Retreat Room.

"I love that, and I feel like we needed that," Akers said. "We had like, offices we could go to sit and talk before, but I feel like having a room with stuff that's (specifically) meant to help you cope and use (self-regulation) strategies is just better for kids in our situation ... I feel like that room is just going to help everybody."

She said many Edison students have struggled with attendance or their mental and emotional health. Akers said she was "always skipping" class during her freshman and sophomore year at Bettendorf High School — and when she did go, it was usually just to avoid an absence.

"Having smaller classes (at Edison) has helped me so much," she said. "I know I'm smart, but I just needed to have that (support from teachers) in the back of my mind."

Since coming to Edison last school year, Akers' grades, and mental health, have improved significantly.

"The teachers here have helped me (learn) how to calm myself down from panic attacks," she said, giving a special shout-out to paraeducator Janelle Kuebrich. "She's helped me in many ways, and a lot of teachers have helped me ways I wouldn't have gotten at a traditional high school."

Pepin had a similar experience. He acted out often at previous schools.

"When I got to Edison, it was an environment that opened up a lot of emotions that I (previously) sheltered and hid with anger," Pepin said. "It really gives you the feel of an actual family, not just someplace where you're forced to do something."

His family moved around the country — most recently, Burlington — before coming to Bettendorf. Pepin was behind on credits at the time, leading him to Edison.

"It's been a struggle, but honestly, it's been really worth it," he said. "If you're going to come to Edison, just make the best of it. That's all I gotta say."

Pepin plans to enroll in Midwest Technical Institute's pipe fitting program after graduating. Akers isn't quite sure which pathway she'll take yet.

"I'm really just looking forward to being the first graduating class," from the new Edison building, she said. "And, we're going to be the first to 'figure it out' and stuff."

Just as the upgrades generate excitement, Blackwell hopes they also "upgrade (students') ambitions."

"I think a lot of our kids think, 'I didn't make it into regular high school, they sent me to this other place,' — well, now they're in a really great place," he said. "So I'm hoping that it will help some of our kids aspire to something greater."

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