About Us

The Linn-Mar Community School District is proud to be a part of a thriving, energetic, future-focused “community” of east-central Iowa. Our district includes portions of the cities of Marion, Cedar Rapids, and Robins. We also serve students in areas of eastern Linn County.

Linn-Mar is the 12th largest district in student population in Iowa, serving 1.6% of all students in the state. Despite our size, we maintain a small-school feel by maintaining neighborhood schools with smaller class sizes. Each classroom comes complete with updated technology to help our students discover, grow, and prepare for the world of tomorrow.

Our award-winning teachers proudly educate our students in seven elementary schools, two intermediate schools, two middle schools, and one high school. We also provide educational services at COMPASS our Alternative High School, and through our Home-School program. Our Success Center is designed for students with special needs beyond high school.  More than 1,200 teachers and staff serve the educational needs of nearly 7,800 students K-12.

We are dedicated to a quality educational experience for all students as we work together to Inspire Learning, Unlock Potential, and Empower Achievement.

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History

On May 29th, 1946 the voters of Marion Township approved a plan to reorganize the school facilities of the area into one independent unit. By 1948, 17 subdistricts (including 12 one-room schools, and one two-room school) officially became the Marion Rural Independent School District. At that time, 287 students were enrolled in grades K-8. North 10th Street was lined with farm fields as were most of the other current Linn-Mar school building sites. Despite a district name change in 1959 and three merger votes with Marion Independent — all of which failed — Linn-Mar has had continual growth and retained a sense of community for over six decades.

 

Timeline

  • 1948: 12 one-room schools and 1 two-room school officially named the Marion Rural Independent School District.
  • 1949: Elementary School (K-8) completed and named Marion Rural Independent School (Current LRC)
  • 1959: Linn-Mar Senior High constructed. The original main entrance is now known as the four corners. 
  • 1961: Indian Creek Elementary was built to relieve overcrowding at the original elementary building 
  • 1963: Junior High School constructed (now the southwest portion of Linn-Mar High School)
  • 1966: Wilkins Elementary opens as the first “walkable” building in the district. Previously, all students were bused.
  • 1968: Bowman Woods Elementary opens. The first district building within the Cedar Rapids city limits 
  • 1995: Linn-Mar Intermediate School was constructed (now Excelsior Middle School)
  • 1997: $25 million bond issue passed.
  • 1999: District changed from a K-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12 configuration to a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 configuration. Westfield Elementary was constructed in Robins. New gymnasiums and classrooms were added at Wilkins Elementary and Indian Creek Elementary. A new gym and auditorium opened at Linn-Mar High School. The old gym was remodeled to serve as the high school media center and Skogman computer lab. 
  • 2003: Oak Ridge School (K-8) was built. Linn-Mar Middle School became Excelsior Middle School.
  • 2006: $27.5 million bond issue passed to build two new elementary schools (Echo Hill & Linn Grove), renovate and update the High School, renovated and update Novak Elementary and convert Oak Ridge to a middle school.
  • 2007: Linn Grove Elementary opened
  • 2008:  Echo Hill Elementary opens to house K-5 students previously taught at Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge becomes a 6-8 middle school
  • 2009: Transportation and Operations & Maintenance move to their new building on 62nd Street.
  • 2010: The new, relocated Novak Elementary opened. The Educational Services Center moved into the original Novak and was rededicated as the Learning Resource Center (LRC). COMPASS High School Alternative Program moved to the ground level of the LRC.
  • 2011: The multi-purpose stadium and parking project was completed.
  • 2012: The Linn-Mar baseball/softball complex was completed.
  • 2013: The Linn-Mar Aquatic Center completed.
  • 2014: Oak Ridge Gym and performance platform constructed.
  • 2015: Work began on a $30 million dollar renovation project at the High School.  A portion of the original, (un-air-conditioned) 1959 building was removed-replaced by Pride Rock Commons. The project brought additional classroom space, secured entrances, and the South Commons. It also included an expanded weight room, a new wrestling room, and a remodeled cafeteria and kitchen.
  • 2016: Cafeteria addition completed at Oak Ridge.
  • 2017: Classroom addition to Westfield Elementary (NW corner of the building). The High School renovation project was completed.
  • 2018: Renovation projects to Excelsior, Oak Ridge, Bowman Woods, Indian Creek, and Westfield.
  • 2019: Renovation projects to Bowman Woods, Indian Creek, Excelsior, Oak Ridge, and Linn-Mar High School. Projects include restroom remodeling, locker replacement, roof replacement, and security/access control updates.
  • Spring 2020: (4th quarter)-All buildings closed due to COVID19. High School students attend classes online.
  • Summer 2020,(August 10th) Derecho windstorm causes significant roof damage at Wilkins, at new intermediate buildings, and various facilities throughout the district. The opening day of school was delayed until September.
  • Fall 2020 Boulder Peak and Hazel Point Intermediate Schools Open. All buildings operate with a hybrid (every other day) schedule due to COVID concerns. Full classes resume after winter break.
  • 2021: Thousand of dollars in permanent repairs are completed at all buildings following the derecho.
  • 2022: New access road to Excelsior constructed. Five-year facilities plan was approved by the school board.
  • 2023: A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Linn-Mar administration building.
  • 2023: Additional parking added to the northwest corner of the LMHS campus near Tower Terrace & 10th St. (location of HS softball field before 2012.)
  • 2024: LMHS Tennis Complex constructed on Oak Ridge campus replacing courts between HS and LRC parking lots.
  • 2024: A groundbreaking event launched the construction of a new performance venue on the west side of the high school.
  • 2024: The district opened a new administrative building at 3556 Winslow Road, Marion.