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By Olivia West
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr Community School District began the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday.
The district welcomed several new teachers for the school year. Elementary Principal Chris Elwood said staff were looking forward to welcoming students back to the building.
“We can’t wait to get students in the building,” Elwood said.
Preschool classes will begin Monday, August 31. During “Meet the Teacher” Night on Monday, preschool parents had the opportunity to schedule a time to meet with their child’s teacher during the week of August 24.
School pictures for students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be taken Monday, August 31. Picture forms were available during “Meet the Teacher” Night. Preschool pictures, along with picture retakes for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, are scheduled for Monday, Sept 28.
As part of the district’s efforts to address chronic absenteeism, parents or guardians are required to accompany students into the building and sign them in if they arrived after 8:15 a.m. All students are expected to be in the building by 8:10 a.m.
Elwood emphasized the importance of collaboration between families and school staff in supporting student success.
“We need your support and greatly appreciate any help we can get,” Elwood said.
Students enrolled in Southwestern Community College (SWCC) classes, along with students participating in the EVOLVE program, picked up their computers Monday, August 24, in the high school library. All other students received their computers Tuesday, August 25.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, Iowa law requires students to pass the Iowa Civics Test as a condition of high school graduation. Students in grades 9-12 will take the test at least once each school year. A score of 60 percent or higher is required, and students can retake the test as many times as necessary to achieve a passing score.
Students in grades 6-12 will also participate in the Presidential Fitness Assessment each school year, as required by statewide guidelines. The assessment measures various components of physical fitness and provided schools with information that can be used to monitor students’ overall health and fitness levels.
Another change during the school year involved eighth-grade participation in high school athletics. Under a new Iowa law, eighth-grade students became eligible to participate in high school athletics. Participation is not automatic, however, and students will have to meet the eligibility requirements and follow the procedures established by the Mount Ayr Community School District.
A Mount Ayr Community Schools Board of Education approved policy outlined the approval process, as well as eligibility and participation requirements.
The district also expanded its career and technical education opportunities with the opening of a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. The facility provides students with hands-on instruction in areas including automotive repair and health occupations.
Mount Ayr has worked to establish itself as a regional hub for CTE programs. In partnership with Southwestern Community College, the district offers career academies in welding, health occupations, automotive repair, education and construction.
The career academy opportunities are available not only to Mount Ayr students, but also to students from Diagonal, Central Decatur, Bedford and Lamoni.
With a new school year underway and several new programs and opportunities available, the Mount Ayr Community School District is preparing for an active and productive 2026-27 school year.
