Those include both FFA and Robotics.

“We’ve added an eighth-grade FFA chapter,” Principal Kevin Wood said. “It was only ninth to 12th before. They have their own officers, it’s new for us.”

Wood said FFA is a very active program at the school with more than 70 students participating. The group is mentored by instructor Doug Gaul who teaches a variety of programs that the students enjoy.

“Our students raise fish and chickens,” Wood said. “He even takes them through a taxidermy unit. It’s continually evolving and growing.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Manson Northwest Webster High School Principal Kevin Wood shows off the new study space added this year. The roomy area gives students a place to catch up on homework and other projects.

The tilapia fish, which take about a year to mature, are raised in a giant tank indoors. The chickens live in a coop on the school grounds.

Both will eventually be sold and both promise to be delicious.

The high tech world of robotics is now also available to the middle school students.

“We have a new middle school First Tech Challenge team,” he said. “They compete the same way as the high school students. We even hosted the first meet in early May.”

An area in the school’s basement has been converted from a storage area into a new place for the students to study.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Manson Northwest Webster High School Principal Kevin Wood looks over the FFA logo painted on a classroom wall in the school. They’ve added an eighth-grade FFA chapter this year. FFA is very active in the school with over 70 student members.

“We have a new study space,” Wood said. “There’s soft seating along with high and low seating. It can accommodate up to 80 students with a teacher supervising.

The tables in the study area are made of modular units that be rearranged to make longer or shorter tables. Opening the space up has also given the school an additional tornado shelter area.

Manson Northwest Webster also a program that allows to earn the Certified Nurses Assistant certificate.

“Our school nurse, Sarah Droste, teaches it along with an Introduction to Health and a Health Occupations course,” Wood said. “When they’re done they’ll have everything they need to be a CNA.”

He said the school is partnering with both Iowa Central Community College as well as the Good Samaritan Society of Manson where the students can gain work experience.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Manson Northwest Webster High School instructor Doug Gaul looks over the school of tilapia that one of his classes will raise. The fish will go in the bigger tank and eventually be sold.

District Superintendent Justin Daggett, along with Wood, are both proud of the way the district helps students maximize their educational experience toward their eventual career goals.

Students take a interest inventory test to help them determine that.

“It helps in better defining and improving the pathways for students,” Daggett said. “College or career?”

“The test helps define their interests,” Wood said. “It helps them define possible career options.”

Once the test inventory is completed, the results are shared with the student and their parents.

“We can work with them to align their course work with their career goals,” Wood said.

The school recently hosted a college and career fair.

Manson Northwest Webster enjoys a stellar reputation in the area, with many parents opting to send their students there from out of the district.

“When they come here they know their student is safe and getting the best experience,” Wood said.

“We really value each student and we want them to have the best experience here,” Daggett said.

The students are also active in helping out with service work.

“We have our Just Feed One service project on Jan. 23,” Daggett said. “The students have raised money to buy the ingredients then they pack the meals and send them to Honduras.”

“They’ve partnered with our local service organizations and churches too,” Wood said.