Experience Professionalism Networking
Preparing ALL Students for THEIR PURPOSE
Giving students infinite possibilities through real-world experiences in a real-world setting with real-world business partners with the Denver Community School District and beyond.
Check out the Spring 2021 Denver CAPS Video Showcase
"We make professionals!"
The Center for Advanced Professional Studies takes students outside of the traditional classroom and immerses them in professional environments
Student-Associates develop problem-solving and professional skills to work on real projects for real business clients. This experience along with focused development on career exploration helps prepare each of them for their purpose beyond their life as a student. Denver CAPS is an example of how business, community and education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high-skill, high-demand jobs.
"Our young adults are SO blessed to have all of the support from the Cedar Valley CAPS partnership to challenge the student-associates to be the best versions of themselves."
Taylor Anderson, Principal Denver High School
Featured Podcasts & Videos
Cedar Valley CAPS has had the opportunity to be a part of a number of podcasts and videos over the last couple of years. We have found that these featured episodes can give a very clear insight into what CAPS is and the impact it can have not just on the student associates, but local businesses and communities as a whole. We invite you to click on the episodes below to learn more about how Cedar Valley CAPS have made that impact since we launched our first cohort in January 2017.
"I wish I would have had CAPS when I was in high school!”
- Business Partners & Parents
Cedar Valley CAPS:
A Proven Model
When local schools connect with local businesses, that creates infinite possibilities for local communities.
Check out the work Denver CAPS has done for Butler-Bremer Communications >>>>>>>>
The CAPS experience goes beyond the current student-associates - it thrives with our Business Partners and CAPS Alumni
The FOUR CORNERSTONES
Cedar Valley CAPS programs are built on a customized framework that supports profession-based learning to prepare students for their purpose
INNOVATION
PROBLEM SOLVING
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
CAREER EXPLORATION
"There is a noticeable difference in our CAPS Associates, and all the opportunities they are provided to take risks in and the creative thinking and problem-solving! I love this program and appreciate all the support from our partners in business, community and with the school."
Travis Miller, Instructor Denver CAPS
Frank & Jacob
"CAPS gives students the freedom and independence to do and pursue their interests. I gained social skills, communication abilities, the ability to work on a team and leadership skills. More importantly, I gained a lot of confidence in who I am and where I am going."
Erin O.
"Honestly without the CAPS program,
and the supportive instructors all around, I'm not sure if I would've figured out I wanted to be a nurse."
The Denver CAPS All-Inclusive Pathway
Course Strand
Denver CAPS Goes Where Students Lead
The Cedar Valley CAPS model is successful because of the support of our Host Partners
Preparing You for Your Purpose
Becoming an Associate
Visit with your School Counselor to learn more.
The Denver CAPS Team
Professionals with experienced backgrounds in leadership, education, economic development, business, higher education, media, mathematics, planning and more.
Travis Miller
Instructor, Denver CAPS
Taylor Anderson
Principal, Denver High School
Amy Bakker
Cedar Valley CAPS Director (Central Rivers AEA)
Nate Clayberg
Cedar Valley CAPS Program Development Manager
Diane Flaherty
Cedar Valley CAPS Instructional Support Specialist
“You can’t serve someone you think you are better than.”
Hamish Brewer, Author & Award-Winning Principal
Cedar Valley CAPS Guest Speaker
MENTORSHIP
It may be too late for you to be a student-associate in CAPS as an adult. However, it is never too late for you to get involved in supporting Profession Based Learning in the Cedar Valley at Denver High School.
PROJECTS
Do you have a project that has languished as the 8th, 9th or 10th item on your To-Do List? Trust our Associates to take your project to the next level. Priority is always given to projects that will support our local community, businesses and organizations.
True Return on Investment
This is not an ordinary education program. The CAPS model has had a true impact on local economic development in the Cedar Valley to develop our future local workforce and our companies.
If you are interested in supporting the program, contact Beck Walters with Denver Schools.
CAPS Scholarship
Students involved in a Cedar Valley CAPS program, or with any other CAPS Network affiliated program, have the following opportunity to earn a scholarship toward their enrollment at the University of Northern Iowa. By identifying that you will receive a minimum of $1,000 CAPS scholarship.
