Cedar Rapids Student-Built House

09/11/2026

It’s been a busy week as we kick off the 2026-27 Student Built House with our students! We’re just beginning the framing stage and can’t wait to watch this home take shape. 🏗️🔨🏡

Today we’re especially grateful to Maxell Corporation of America, who donated Sill & Wall Sealer for the build. Part of their Airtight Products (M.A.P.) line, the sealer installs in an L-shaped configuration at the foundation-to-wall transition, using high-performance EPDM foam to create a tight, lasting air seal — a great hands-on lesson for our students in how proper air sealing boosts a home’s energy efficiency for years to come. ✨

Thank you, Maxell, for investing in this program and in the students building it. We couldn’t do this without partners like you! 💛

🔗 Learn more about the product here: https://maxell-usa.com/sill-and-wall-sealer/

07/23/2026

🏗️ Breaking ground on the 2026-27 Cedar Rapids Student Built House!

Every year we get to watch high school students turn 2x4s and blueprints into a real home from the ground up — and this year’s project is officially underway!

Can’t wait to watch this year’s group get after it. Follow along as the frame goes up! 🔨
Shebetka Enterprises LLC

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

05/11/2026

Great Company! Couldn’t have asked for a better partner for the grading and sod on this years Student Built House!

04/24/2026

Student Tour Tuesday is a little late this week… because we’ve been BUSY. 🙌
The Cedar Rapids Student Built House is in the homestretch — final clean on deck, and then we open the doors to YOU!!Public open house: May 13 | 3:30–6:30 PM. Stay tuned! 🔨🏡

Home #53 Address:
6718 Lauder Lane NE
Cedar Rapids 52411

04/14/2026

Happy Student Tour Tuesday! 🏠✨
We’re in the home stretch at the Cedar Rapids student-built house — floors are being uncovered, touch-ups are happening, the screened-in porch is getting wrapped up, and we’re prepping for the last cleaning. The finish line is so close!

Huge shoutout to Klingler Painting & Decorating Inc for their incredible work on this home — it is looking beautiful! 🙌
Follow along so you don’t miss the big reveal! 👀

04/07/2026

Introducing Student Tour Tuesday! 🏗️ Each week we’ll be giving you an inside look at our Cedar Rapids Student Built House — and this week, our students are installing a beautiful, maintenance-free deck. These kids never cease to amaze us with the incredible work and dedication they bring to every single detail of this home. A huge shoutout to Adam from Millwood Ranch Custom Wood Crafts for coming out and being a part of this build! Stay tuned as our students turn blueprints into reality. 🙌🔨

01/22/2026

The student house project reached a significant milestone today, with our students working alongside Klingler Painting & Decorating Inc to prime the walls and ceilings. Upon equipping themselves with tyvek suits, the students efficiently learned the operation of paint sprayers and managed to prime most of the main floor walls within the class. The project will progress tomorrow with the application of the final ceiling and closet paint, and subsequently, the first coat of wall paint. The paint materials being used are all 0 VOC, proudly supplied by Benjamin Moore and Klinger Paint & Interiors. Klingler Painting & Decorating Inc Klinger Paint & Interiors

01/18/2026

In the last two weeks since students returned from winter break, we've finished insulating and learned to hang and tape drywall like pros with Precision Drywall. We've picked up some new tricks and methods along the way. Next week, we'll be kicking off the painting process with Klingler Painting, and once that's done, we'll dive into installing LVP flooring on both levels of the house.