---
name: apex-program
description: "Core facts about the Waukee APEX program — mission, history, location, culture, and professional expectations"
metadata: 
  node_type: memory
  type: project
  originSessionId: a7c21f3f-80cb-4099-9fc9-4faecc86bcc5
---

**APEX Mission:** "Through a collaboration between education, business, and the community, Waukee Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX) develops highly-skilled, adaptable global innovators and leaders. Waukee APEX draws on the expertise of business partners to bring real-world experience to high school. Through passion-based learning, authentic projects, and experiences, students add value to business partners."

**Full name:** Waukee Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX)
**Previously called:** CAPS (students — including Vivian Le — pitched the name "APEX" to the school board)
**Founded:** ~2017 when the WILC opened; 10+ years as of 2025–2026
**Location:** Waukee Innovation & Learning Center (WILC), 295 SE Ashworth Road, Waukee, IA 50263, (515) 987-9888
**General email:** apex@waukeeschools.org

**Professional Expectations (key for portfolio context):**
- Business casual dress required all week at WILC, host sites, and offsite
- No jeans, flip-flops, t-shirts, hoodies, hats — skirts knee-length+
- Professional Clothes Closet on first floor (free to all student associates)
- 5 & 10 Rule: acknowledge and greet anyone within 5–10 feet
- Punctuality required for all meetings, class, shuttles, events
- Google Calendar used for all scheduling; Slack for team communication and offsite check-in
- Shuttle runs between WILC and WHS/NWHS throughout the day

**Student terminology:** Students are called "student associates," not students.

**Program structure:** Students spend at least two blocks of their schedule at the WILC. Most courses offer dual college credit. Work involves real clients, real deliverables, and authentic projects.