Educational Grants

WCDA has a unique focus on education that sets us apart from other gaming non profits in Iowa. Early on, the dream was to affect education profoundly. As of today, we have granted over 9.5 million dollars to 5 school districts. We have also given out hundreds of scholarships, thousands of back to school gift cards and paid for hundreds of children to go to preschool. The list goes on and on. We are proud of how we have followed through, to “grow Worth County”, with our youngest residents.

Northwood-Kensett Community School District

Creating healthy, educated, ethical and productive citizens

The Northwood-Kensett Community School District takes great pride in the educational opportunities afforded its students.

The district promotes a technology rich environment for students and staff. All staff and students, grades 4-12, have laptop computers. Instructional technology and computer laboratories are located throughout the district’s facilities.

A rigorous curriculum challenges each student to excel with an emphasis on principles of high quality instruction and clear expectations for what is taught.

A progressive staff development program has been implemented for the future growth of the staff and to promote an educational system that is preparing students and staff for the future that awaits.

The Northwood-Kensett Community School District is proud of its heritage and its future in preparing students in becoming productive and contributing members of society with a genuine concern for society’s welfare.

The following table displays funding awarded in each of the following categories:
Category I: Physical Plant Operations, Maintenance, Expansion, Green Energy
Category II: Staff Development, Equipment, Technology, Textbooks, Library Books, Support Staff, Instructional Support
Category III: Organization Requests, Fees, Fundraising
Category IV: Teacher Budgets

Central Springs Community School District

Cultivating a learning community that engages and empowers the hearts and minds of all students, one child at a time

Central Springs Community Schools officially reorganized from the North Central and Nora Springs-Rock Falls school districts on July 1, 2011. The districts were whole grade sharing for the prior four years. The Central Springs District has taken the best from each previous district and is building upon those strengths.

Central Springs promotes excellent student learning through the infusion of technology, low pupil-teacher ratios, outstanding professional development that emphasizes research-based teaching strategies and student centered activities aligned with the Iowa Core Curriculum.

The District realizes that an effective school program must be directed toward the common needs of all children, but must also consider the unique differences of individuals. The school shares with the home and community the responsibility for the development of each child who is prepared to participate fully, learn continually, and contribute meaningfully to the world in relationship to his/her abilities.

At Central Springs we work every day to:

ENSURE an orderly climate conducive to teaching and learning
PROVIDE effective teaching and testing based on clear objectives
HOLD high expectations for all learners in every aspect of the curricular and co curricular programs
MAINTAIN a positive atmosphere where success and achievement are rewarded
USE time wisely so that, to a maximum extent, students are actively engaged in learning activities where they are experiencing success

We, at Central Springs, are at the beginning of an exciting journey to create a proud and successful tradition for our youth, communities and schools.

The following table displays funding awarded in each of the following categories:
Category I: Physical Plant Operations, Maintenance, Expansion, Green Energy
Category II: Staff Development, Equipment, Technology, Textbooks, Library Books, Support Staff, Instructional Support
Category III: Organization Requests, Fees, Fundraising
Category IV: Teacher Budgets

Forest City Community School District

Forest City Community School District is located in Forest City, Iowa and approximately 1200 students are enrolled. It is comprised of students from Forest City and the surrounding towns of Leland and Fertile. Currently Forest City and Woden-Crystal Lake are working towards reorganization where all Woden-Crystal Lake students would attend Forest City Community School District.

The district has five buildings: an elementary school, a middle and high school that is connected by a foyer and cafeteria, an alternative school and a district office located on Forest City’s main street (Clark Street). In addition to the buildings, Forest City Community School District continues to add state of the art athletic facilities including turf football and softball fields – a joint project with Waldorf College.

With academics being the first priority, Forest City Community School District has integrated technology into curriculum to give its students cutting-edge and yet, need-to-know instruction. In 2011, every middle school student received a laptop in the school’s One2One computer initiative – a project that will distribute laptops to high school students in 2012.

In addition to technology, the district partners with several local colleges preparing its students for post-secondary education as well. Forest City students are provided free ACT testing preparation in addition to strenuous classes preparing them for necessary college-entrance tests. This has resulted in ACT scores averaging higher than the state average.

With a very active Education Foundation working closely with students and school officials, students are not only prepared for college, but also aided financially through scholarships provided by the local Education Foundation.

Lastly, Forest City Community School District prides itself on outstanding activities, competitive athletics and fine arts programs.

The following table displays funding awarded in each of the following categories:
Category I: Physical Plant Operations, Maintenance, Expansion, Green Energy
Category II: Staff Development, Equipment, Technology, Textbooks, Library Books, Support Staff, Instructional Support
Category III: Organization Requests, Fees, Fundraising
Category IV: Teacher Budgets

St. Ansgar Community School District

The St. Ansgar Community School District is a public school located in Mitchell and Worth Counties. It covers 244 square miles and hosts four attendance centers.

The attendance centers are the Elementary holding graded Preschool through fifth, and the Middle School/High School holding grades sixth though twelve both located in St. Ansgar. The Alternative School for grades nine though twelve is in Grafton, and Stacyville houses a preschool classroom.

The mission of the school district is “To educate all students to be life long learners, enabling them to communicate, solve problems, and be productive, responsible citizens in a technological and diverse society”.

St. Ansgar Schools is home to 630 students for 180 days a school year. Students achieve academically as well as in sports, music, speech, drama, FFA and fine arts.

Our staff consists of three administrators, 38 certified teachers, and 50 additional supporting staff (para educators, coaches, bus drivers, cooks, secretaries). A Seven member Board of Directors guides the school and does short and long range planning.

The following table displays funding awarded in each of the following categories:
Category I: Physical Plant Operations, Maintenance, Expansion, Green Energy
Category II: Staff Development, Equipment, Technology, Textbooks, Library Books, Support Staff, Instructional Support
Category III: Organization Requests, Fees, Fundraising
Category IV: Teacher Budgets

Lake Mills Community School District

Located in north central Iowa, the Lake Mills Community School District includes the communities of Joice, Scarville, and Lake Mills and their environs. As a district, we value the support and input of all our constituents.

The school’s new and renovated facilities are reflective of the support from each patron and taxpayer in our district. In addition, the support we receive through the vision and financial resources of the Worth County Development Authority has allowed our district to purchase and offer exciting things to enhance opportunities for all our K-12 students and teachers.

LMCS is proud of its 700 students in grades Pre-K through 12. They make all our collaborative efforts worthwhile. LMCS is proud of its staff. The teaching faculty and support staff are willing to work together for the betterment of teaching and learning for all. LMCS also appreciates the administration and school board who are willing to rethink traditional roles as we evolve into a more learner-centered system.

You are encouraged to explore the various avenues of our web site. You will learn that we value collective efforts and support engaging educational learning experiences. We do this because we believe that… “Through our collective efforts, we are committed to teaching and learning for all.”

Our vision is a learner-centered school system that encourages and eventually graduates students who are:

• Lifelong learners
• Effective communicators
• Responsible citizens
• Creative, critical thinkers
• Healthy contributors

The following table displays funding awarded in each of the following categories:
Category I: Physical Plant Operations, Maintenance, Expansion, Green Energy
Category II: Staff Development, Equipment, Technology, Textbooks, Library Books, Support Staff, Instructional Support
Category III: Organization Requests, Fees, Fundraising
Category IV: Teacher Budgets