At first glance, the numbers stand out: Nearly every student in the Solon Community School District graduates.
What’s powering the 97 to 99% graduation rate in recent years is not simply the test scores, but the ever-growing focus on career readiness by the district. The mindset at the heart of Solon schools is that students are more likely to succeed when they see a purpose in what they’re learning, district officials said.
“It goes beyond just the traditional academic,” said Josh Lyons, Solon’s associate superintendent. “It provides opportunities, so they don’t feel like they’re locked into a classroom all day.”
For Solon, the district stands out by embedding career readiness throughout the school experience, rather than isolating the opportunities into a single class.
Students participate in internships, job shadows, dual enrollment courses and career exploration days. The district also builds time into the school year for structured career planning through its Iowa Career and Academic Planning (ICAP) program.
“We try to weave it in through their schedule throughout the year,” said Jodi Leimkeuhler, Solon teacher and head of the ICAP Committee. “It’s not a single class… it could be project-based learning, job shadows or internships.”
The district says the goal is to make school feel relevant.
“It definitely helps them be more engaged,” said Lyons.
That engagement is where career readiness begins to influence outcomes, as educators in Solon say students who participate in work-based learning programs are more likely to stay on track.
“Those who participate… tend to have higher engagement, which then looks like they tend to have a clear post-secondary plan,” said Leimkuehler.
For some students, that clarity is the difference between drifting through school and finishing with a purpose.
Solon Senior Jillian Elijah said the focus on work-based learning helped define her future.
“Taking one of those [job shadows] definitely made me so clear of what I want to do,” said Elijah. “It just helps me to really know it’s becoming real… I feel prepared.”
Elijah said that sense of direction has helped her feel even more motivated to graduate.
While high-achieving students often benefit from advanced coursework and college credit, Solon’s career readiness system is also designed to reach students who struggle in traditional classrooms.
“Some of the most powerful impact… is those students who may not have thrived in the traditional classroom,” said Leimkuehler. “Getting them involved in a work-based learning experience can really re-engage them.”
That re-engagement addresses student disconnection in a classroom, which the National Education Association says is one of the leading causes of high school dropout rates in the country.
By giving students a reason to care about school, Solon reduces the likelihood they fall behind or leave altogether.
Solon’s approach requires more than just philosophy, though. It requires resources.
The district invests in staff to coordinate internships, build employer partnerships, and support students through the process of career readiness.
“It starts with staffing. You need to have staff that help coordinate those placements… and support students,” said Leimkuehler. “Without that funding, our program becomes smaller and less equitable.”
Lyons said much of that funding comes through the district’s general fund, with some support from the state.
Career readiness programs exist across Iowa, but Solon’s results suggest its approach is more effective than many of its peers.
According to the Iowa Department of Education, nearby districts like Lisbon, Tipton and Pleasant Valley also offer career-focused curriculum, but their graduation rates remain closer to the state average in the low 90’s.
The difference, Solon educators said, comes down to how deeply those programs are both integrated and supported.
“I think one of our biggest strengths is our community,” said Leimkuehler. “We have strong partnerships with local businesses that are willing to invest in our students.”
Those partnerships allow Solon to expand opportunities beyond the classroom, creating a system where students are consistently exposed to real-world experiences.
Solon administrators realize not every student benefits equally from this career and academic readiness curriculum.
“We do have students who face barriers like transportation… or scheduling conflicts,” said Leimkuehler.
Some students also choose not to participate, finding the programs not entirely useful.
“I know for some people… they already knew what they wanted to do, so some of the programs weren’t helpful,” said Elijah.
Solon’s graduation rate isn’t tied to a single program, but its career readiness system has become a central force in shaping student outcomes.
Even Lyons, who cautions against attributing success to one factor, acknowledges the role those opportunities play.
“I don’t know that I can specifically pinpoint it to a career readiness approach, but it contributes because we offer high-quality opportunities,” said Lyons.
AJ Dolan is a student in the UI Community News class and has been an intern and sports reporter for the Economist.
