The 2003 graduating class will be the last for Northern University High School in Cedar Falls. N-U High has been part of the Price Laboratory School used for decades as a training ground for student teachers from the University of Northern Iowa. Thomas Switzer, dean of UNI’s college of education, says beginning in the 2003-2004 school year, Price Lab School will teach only early childhood education through ninth grade.The 10th through 12th graders will be part of an agreement that has them attend Cedar Falls High School or one of the Waterloo High Schools. Switzer says it allows UNI to put more resources into training college students who’ll become elementary and middle school teachers, which is what a majority of the new UNI teachers want to do. Switzer says the decision is partially due to money issues.The re-organization means the closing of the high school, which has a rich tradition. Switzer says that has raised some reaction from parents, students and teachers, and they understand those concerns.The athletic programs at N-U High will be absorbed by Cedar Falls High School.
