OSKALOOSA, Iowa — On a warm spring afternoon, a group of high school seniors proudly showcased a nearly completed 1,600-square-foot home they built from the ground up. This annual open house marks the culmination of a year-long project for students in the construction trades program at Oskaloosa High School.
“The purpose of this event is to give students a chance to show their parents, grandparents, siblings, and favorite teachers what they’ve accomplished,” said Dave Bower, the building trades instructor. “It’s always special because you get to see the students take pride in their work and realize the incredible skills they’ve gained.”
The house, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch with a walkout basement and a spacious two-car garage, stands as a testament to the students’ hard work and dedication. Inside, the home features quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and carpeted bedrooms. “We use quality products and ensure everything is done correctly,” Bower noted.
Throughout the year, students learn far more than just how to build a house. They acquire essential employability skills, such as punctuality, preparedness, and teamwork, which are crucial in any career. “We grade on employability skills, so they’re constantly learning the importance of being on time, being prepared, and working with others,” Bower explained.
For many students, the program provides a clear path to a promising career. “Every year, we have more students entering apprenticeships,” Bower said. “This year, two seniors are going into electrical apprenticeships.”
Jaden Deronde, a senior in the program, shared his enthusiasm about the hands-on learning experience. “It honestly means a lot to see something you never thought you could make come together as a full-size house,” Deronde said. “I’ve learned everything from basic wiring to HVAC [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning]. It’s super important for my future in construction.”
Maddix Ashman, another senior, reflected on the year-long work involved in the project. “We started by framing the basement and building walls, then moved on to roofing and siding,” Ashman said. “The most challenging part was putting up the trusses, but it was a great learning experience.”
The program not only equips students with practical skills but also fosters leadership. “Some students are natural leaders, and I try to put them in leadership roles to build those skills further,” Bower said. He aims to make the program even more student-directed in the future, involving returning students to mentor newcomers to the building trades program
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Beyond construction, the program integrates other disciplines, such as interior design, providing a comprehensive educational experience. “We have an interior design class that picks out colors and finishes,” Bower said. “They even get hands-on experience working on the house.”
Carrie Bihl, the interior design teacher at OHS, emphasized the role her interior design students play in the home-building project. “Our interior design class is responsible for selecting the colors, finishes, and overall aesthetic of the house,” Bihl explained. “Students learn about kitchen layouts, flooring, wall coverings, and window treatments. They visit Modern Floor Covering to gather samples for carpet, flooring, countertops, and cabinetry. After developing proposals and undergoing a series of critiques and discussions, the class collectively decides on the most efficient and visually appealing designs.” This year, the students opted for a contemporary style, marking the first time the program has used painted cabinets in the kitchen.
Bihl also highlighted how Oskaloosa Schools provide more opportunities for students. “Because we are a bigger school, we can offer specialized classes like interior design, which many other schools in our area can’t,” she said. “With my background in interior design, I wanted to show students the vast career possibilities in this field. This exposure helps students see beyond the textbook and understand real-life applications of their skills.” The comprehensive year-long program allows students to delve deeply into the content, gaining extensive hands-on experience that smaller schools can’t provide to students.
As the school year draws to a close, the nearly finished home still has a few final touches before hitting the market. Last year’s student-built home sold for a record price, demonstrating the value of the students’ craftsmanship. “A student-built home in this community is a good buy,” Bower said. “We’re proud of the great product our students build.”
In addition, this Oskaloosa High School program is filling a critical need in the community. According to Oskaloosa’s 2023 Housing Needs Analysis, more than 300 housing units will be needed in the next few years to support the population forecast and meet the existing housing demand.
For students like Deronde and Ashman, the experience has been transformative, laying a strong foundation for their future careers. “This project showed me everything I need to know and will help me build up to where I want to be,” Deronde said.
As these young builders prepare to graduate, their work on this house stands as evidence of their potential and bright futures.