“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope or dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our Nation.”
— John F. Kennedy
Welcome to Kennedy's website for the Program for Academic and Creative Talent - PACT
Link to the PACT district website
Contact information:
Chad Hageman, District PACT Facilitator
(319)558-1676 chageman@crschools.us
Jill Koch, Kennedy PACT Coordinator
(319)558-1214 jkoch@crschools.us
Lori Ackerman, PACT Secretary
(319)558-1352 lackerman@crschools.us
PACT Office:
2500 Edgewood Road NW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
558-2220
Mission
The mission of the Program for Academic and Creative Talent (PACT) is to enhance and support the educational program and experience of high ability students to prepare them to become world class learners and responsible citizens.
What is PACT?
The senior high school Program for Academic and Creative Talent offers specialized classes and guidance services to academically talented students. These services include: PACT Seminar, career counseling, profiling vocational interests and personal strengths, and facilitating academic planning during and after high school.
The Cedar Rapids curriculum provides abundant opportunities for academic challenge and enrichment through higher level classes, including those in the Advanced Placement program.
Who benefits from PACT?
High school students often need assistance in clarifying possible career paths and locating suitable, affordable higher education. Since highly able students usually have numerous interests, or intense, long-term interests that influence their life planning, they will benefit from the decision-making focus provided by the Program for Academic and Creative Talent guidance services.
Click on the link below for information on the new course offering for 2021-22 School year
Jill Koch
PACT Program Coordinator
Room 231
jkoch@crschools.us
(319)558-1214
Hello, my name is Jill Koch - pronounced "coach." I am the PACT and Scholarship Coordinator at Kennedy. I have worked at many schools in the district over the last ten years. Before becoming a teacher, I worked as a graphic designer/art director for Iowa State University and ran my own business. I have undergraduate degrees from Iowa State and Coe College, a Talented and Gifted endorsement from the University of Iowa, and a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction for Talented and Gifted from Buena Vista University.
My husband, Dave, and I enjoy traveling, organic gardening, hiking, biking, and kayaking/canoeing. We have two adult children who are Kennedy graduates. Our son lives in Rochester, MN and our daughter is in San Antonio, TX. Two adopted, and very furry, felines named Tessa and Milo share our home with us.
Please don't hesitate to contact me or stop by my office (Rm 231)... I can't wait to meet you!
Kennedy High School is full of amazing opportunities for all students. However, as a student eligible for PACT, you have a few more opportunities. Offerings include PACT Seminar: Leadership. This is a PACT class for 9th and 10th grade and also teach "How College Works" to 11th and 12th grade students. How College Works is a Kirkwood concurrent enrollment course which means a students will earn 3 college credits (1 Kennedy credit). Please note there is no high school PACT class for the following activities, instead they are offered as activities outside of the regular school day:
Academic Decathlon
Debate
Fleet Essay Contest
Invent Iowa
National History Day
National Math Test
Reflections Fine Arts Contest
Science and Engineering Day
Science Bowl
Science Fairs
Speech Contest
In addition you can receive:
Specialized guidance services: the PACT coordinator works with your academic counselor to help you with organization and academic planning.
Career counseling and Job Shadowing
Notification and alerts of opportunities to attend school year and summer workshops, seminars, leadership camps and retreats
Dual enrollment in college classes (the school district pays for it!)
All of these things are available to you, but it is your choice whether or not to take part in them. If you are new to Kennedy or feel you qualify for services, please contact me.
Ten Myths in Gifted Education
This video filmed for the Maryland Public Schools in 2010 is old, but provides good information. Any students interested in writing and filming our own? Contact me if interested!