Edison Academy relocates to new Bettendorf facility

The students and staff at Edison Academy got a special delivery Wednesday, Sept. 18, as the alternative high school opened up in a newly renovated facility in the shadow of Bettendorf High School.  The $4.3 million project paved the way for the 50-year-old education program to move from its cramped, dark and unconventional space in […]

The students and staff at Edison Academy got a special delivery Wednesday, Sept. 18, as the alternative high school opened up in a newly renovated facility in the shadow of Bettendorf High School.  The $4.3 million project paved the way for the 50-year-old education program to move from its cramped, dark and unconventional space in the former post office in downtown Bettendorf to its new home at 3066 Victoria St. Beginning this spring, the once office building underwent an extensive remodeling. It included a new classroom wing designed to meet today’s modern and instructional needs.    “The kids so deserve this” was the most popular reaction visitors shared with Bettendorf Schools Superintendent Michelle Morse as they walked by after touring the new campus. 

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Set to open for classes on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Edison held a ceremony and open house Thursday. It was attended by dozens of supporters, students and staff as well as school, community and business leaders.  “We’re so excited to be here because this has been many years in the making to find a suitable space for the alternative high school,” Ms. Morse told the QCBJ after the ribbon cutting. “It’s a big deal for our students – they’ve been in an old post office.”  The former 438 16th St. location was known as the Thomas Edison Education Center. But as Ms. Morse pointed out, it “had no permanent walls, the rooms had partitions. It just didn’t feel (like a school setting). It was hard …”  But the new school, she said “is so fresh and calming for them.” The building’s redevelopment was led by the project team of Bray Architects, Davenport; Bruce Builders, Eldridge; and engineering by Klingner & Associates, Bettendorf.  

50-year history

She beamed as she spoke of the new academy’s spaces and amenities and how “they’re all brand new.” The new location includes four dedicated classrooms, a secured entrance, a spacious flexible space, a conference room, private staff offices and lounge, modern restrooms and an abundance of natural lighting provided by the former office building’s picture windows.  Operated by the Bettendorf school district, Edison Academy is an alternative high school program that serves sophomores to seniors from the Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley and North Scott school districts. The districts collaborate on the program with each providing a teacher to staff the program -- two faculty are Bettendorf Schools employees. Students earn their home high school diploma upon completion of the program.  The program first began as Project Success and later Project Ready. Since 1998 it has been housed in the downtown Thomas Edison center.  The school’s principal is Jeff Blackwell, who came out of retirement to lead it. Now entering his third year, Ms. Morse said Mr. Blackwell was one of the early architects of the alternative program some 50 years ago. 

New opportunities, services

Located across from the south parking lot of Bettendorf High, Edison students now will have access to more resources. They can take specialized courses and have the opportunity for extra-curricular activities.  “If they have a passion for something (a subject, skill or talent), they can access that right across the street,” Ms. Morse said.  At Edison, students follow the traditional school year and attend core classes in the mornings into the afternoon when then they can do independent work or go out into the work world to gain workplace learning. Also, the new facility offers a Brain Health Retreat Room supported by funding from Brain Health Now, she said. Bettendorf High School opened the first such room in the Quad Cities. “This is a place for students if they need a break or staff can access it too.”  An overlooked amenity, she said, is giving the students access to showers and laundry services as well as private lockers. “We think of these as just a basic necessity, but for some of our students, this is a luxury.  The school also was outfitted with plenty of storage, new technology and equipment, and  matching, modern desks – another improvement for the faculty and students. 

Today’s Edison students

After the chamber’s ribbon cutting, dozens of visitors walked through the new facility, impressed by its modern, spacious features.  “These kids are so deserving of this,” one guest told Ms. Morse as she passed by.  The $4.3 million project – including the property’s purchase price and renovations – was funded by SAVE and PPEL funds. The 11,499-square-foot facility now includes a 3,913-square-foot addition.  “The flexible space is just awesome,” Bettendorf Schools Treasurer David Farmer said after a tour. The modern space, he said, meets current educational needs giving students the ability to collaborate as well as work on individualized projects.  The school currently serves 55 students, but has the capacity to teach 71. Ms. Morse said there are no plans to increase the size of enrollment as its small student body is what helps the students learn and succeed. “For some of our students, the 1,500-student campus is just overwhelming,” she said of their home districts.  “There used to be a bad perception that these kids were the bad kids, the juvenile delinquents,” Ms. Morse told the QCBJ. “No, they’re absolutely not. These are some really neat and gifted students who attend here.” 

Former occupants

According to Ms. Morse, the opportunity to purchase the building just fell into the district’s hands when its owner called and left them a message. Formerly an office building, last occupied by the Alera Group, she said “It was amazing. We didn’t even know what it looked like.” But the answer to Edison’s future was just across the street from the high school.  On hand for the school’s reveal was Ranae Warren, who worked at Alera for 35 years and now is retired. She, like many, was in awe of the building’s remake. “It’s totally different, it’s beautiful in there,” Ms. Warren said. 

Sign of excellence

Among the dozens of guests on hand to celebrate Thursday were Edison students and graduates, faculty, staff of the three partner high schools, local and state elected leaders, and members of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.  For Shawn Rice, a Pleasant Valley educator who for years has taught English and reading at Edison, the chance to have her own classroom and a new space to teach comes as she is about to wrap up her career after the school year. She is thrilled for her students who toured the site last spring and again last week. “It’s nice for them to have ownership in this and see the evolution of the project.”  She said the brand new, modern space and amenities are something the students have long deserved. “I feel like this is the manifestation of what we do here. This reflects what we do here. It’s a reflection of our excellence and our student excellence.”  And many of Edison’s students share the similar feelings.    “I think it’s awesome,” said Gracie Stahler, a 17-year-old senior from Eldridge, marveling at all the finishing touches completed in just the past week. “I’m more proud of our teachers. They haven’t had anything new in over 20 years.”  Now in her second year at Edison, she said “We’ll be the first class out.”