WELCOME TO THE
Sun Prairie Experience
Access, Opportunities, LIKE NOWHERE ELSE
AND
Excellence
WE ARE
SUN PRAIRIE
Our Vision:
Our Mission:
To be recognized as a high performing
To inspire and prepare every child, every day, by providing relevant, engaging, and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom.
district of choice that reflects the cultures of our diverse community.
Welcome to The Sun Prairie Experience! DEAR SUN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY: On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to welcome you to The Sun Prairie Experience. We are so proud to be a part of a growing and diverse community. The Sun Prairie Area School District has proudly earned a place in the nation as one of the most innovative and progressive school districts, and the single factor that has led to this reputation is the quality of the staff who serve and love our children every day. Our staff lead some of the most innovative, engaging, and relevant programming anywhere. Though there are too many to name completely, a sampling of our programming includes our Mandarin Chinese and other world language programming, Advanced Placement Computer Science programming, Career and Technical Education offerings, personalization and co-teaching instructional strategies, and AVID programming, not to mention the strength of our literacy and math curricular offerings. There is so much to be proud of in our school district. Every one of our fourteen schools advances amazing opportunities for our students, and our talented and dedicated staff focus on each as an individual learner. Taken as collection of opportunities and innovative programming, we call this The Sun Prairie Experience. What exactly does this look like on a daily basis? This is a place that celebrates and values our diverse community, where we stand by our students with disabilities and their families, and where all children will be safe and loved. This is a place where students have access to opportunities like nowhere else. Students can grow not only academically and emotionally inside our schools and classrooms, but also socially outside the schoolhouse walls as a part of our comprehensive athletics, fine arts, and activities programming. This is The Sun Prairie Experience.
See you soon,
Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent
ABOUT US We serve over 8,500 students in grades 4K–12. Our fourteen state-of-the-art schools include nine elementary schools, two middle schools (grades 6–7), one upper middle school (grades 8–9), one high school (grades 10– 12), and an alternative learning school. Our 4K program is held at partner childcare/preschool sites around Sun Prairie. We are proud to have over 1,300 staff members educating and supporting our students.
Sun Prairie is one of the fastest growing school districts in Wisconsin. The proximity of the Sun Prairie Area School District to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the state capital, and the interstate system has contributed to the growth of this community into a richly diverse and highly desirable destination to live and attend school. Our Board of Education proudly provides the vision to this school district through its governance framework.
WE ARE
INNOVATIVE
POINTS OF PRIDE OUR TEACHERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADAPT THEIR CLASSROOMS AND DELIVERY TO FIT EACH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT’S NEEDS TO MAXIMIZE LEARNING AND GROWTH THANKS TO OUR: • Fourteen State-of-the-Art Schools • Mobile Classrooms • Collaborative Learning Spaces • Cutting-Edge Technology Resources • Engaging and Flexible Learning Spaces
Awards of excellence for •H omeroom, Radio Show •R eferendum Materials •C ommunity Newsletters
ADAPTING TO MEET EACH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT • P ersonalized Learning—Student Voice, Choice, Agency, and Collaboration • Flexible Classroom Spaces • Makerspaces • O ne-to-One Device Initiatives • R obotics, Gaming, and Coding Clubs “ Cardinal Heights E-House has been phenomenal for my daughter. It has allowed her to make her own choices and take ownership of her learning. Being a student in E-House has helped our daughter increase her self-confidence along with building her communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. We could not be more impressed with the teachers, curriculum, and the community the students and teachers have developed together.” —Parent
WE ARE
ENGAGING
Through our multitude of diverse programs, our students are able to explore their passions and develop new skills to carry with them beyond their time in school, all while building connections with their peers and faculty members. Academic and career planning is woven throughout our students’ educational experience to get them college and career ready. We also have one of the largest Summer School programs in the state that includes transportation and nutritional services.
SUN PRAIRIE STUDENTS ARE HIGHLY INVOLVED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. • O ver 50% of our high school students are in one or more clubs. • O ur 9th through 12th-grade students have the opportunity to participate in one or more of 68 sports teams. • W e offer over 80 amazing clubs, including Archery Club, Aviation Club, Chinese Language Club, Drama, Environment Club, Gaming Club, Forensics, Indian Dance Club, Math League, Science Olympiad, and many more. • T he average GPA of our athletes and club participants is 3.32. SUN PRAIRIE STAFF ARE THE BEST IN THE STATE, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. • 6 0% of our educators have a master’s degree or above. • 1 9 of our educators have their National Board Certification for Teachers. WE OFFER CLASSES THAT APPEAL TO THE WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS OF OUR STUDENTS. • 2 7 Advanced Placement courses • 2 7 Arts and Music courses • 6 4 Career and Technical Education courses • 18 dual-credit options
WE ARE
RELEVANT OUR MISSION IS TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, WITH SKILLS THEY CAN CARRY WITH THEM BEYOND GRADUATION AND IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS. WE OFFER: • W orld Language Classes, Including Mandarin Chinese, German, French, and Spanish • Y outh Apprenticeship Opportunities • I ndustry-Level Certification Programs • A dvancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program • College and Career Fairs • D ECA, FFA, FBLA, Skills USA, HOSA, and many more • R eality Rocks • T ravel Abroad " I have four kids with very different needs. Sun Prairie School District has been great at meeting those needs. From 4K to Advanced Learning programming in elementary school, to Advanced Placement, to Technical Education classes and more, each child has received a great, wellrounded education that’s been as individualized as they are." —Parent
“ We attended the final Sun Prairie High School band concert and just when I think I cannot be any more impressed by this school district’s music program, they go one step higher. Tonight’s highlight was a piece featuring the principal oboist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.” —Parent
Our district was recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants and voted Best Music Community in 2017 for our commitment to music education and our tradition of excellence. With over 50 performance ensembles and over 100 music events each year, we offer many opportunities for musicians to learn and grow through music.
WHAT WILL YOUR
STORY BE?
“ “
EMMA BRYANT I have been involved in the drama program since 6th grade and recently have become the stage
“
YUTZIL CONTRERAS Mr. Halvorson, the automotive teacher, had an impact on my learning. I was the only girl in his
manager. This has been
class, and he made it fun,
such a positive experience
relatable, and inclusive.
for me to work together
He taught me to be responsible for my own
with others to create an
learning, and I’ve also become better at time
amazing show!”
management.”
AKILAH WALLACE In my Sun Prairie Experience, I have helped lead a Social Justice Summit and an All School Read, started a dance
“
ISRAEL BELNAVIS I have had the opportunity to take four years of the Chinese language. The highlight of my high
team and a mentor program for elementary
school experience was
school students, and participated in the
traveling to China with my
Principal Advisory Council where minority
Chinese class.”
students work with the administration to make improvements at the high school. My teachers have taught me to respect myself, how to be a better business woman, and how to be the best that I can be.”
“
MELODY HER
“
JOSEPH GAMMON I have had many outstanding teachers that have taught me well in the classroom but also
My teachers have
have been good examples
impacted me by opening
of the type of person
my views of the world. My
I want to become. Coach Hall has been an
leadership experiences
enormous influence on the development of
have made a really big
my character. He reminds our team to place
impact on my worldview.”
personal integrity above performance and to ‘be people of character in the community,’ a phrase that I’ll never forget.”
SUN PRAIRIE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
AT A GLANCE
STUDENTS African American
Educating over
8,500 ST U D E N TS and counting
14
STUDENTS RIDE THE BUS DAILY
10% 9% 8%
SCHOOLS
1 COMMUNITY SCHOOL @ 3 SITES
2,500+
10%
62%
Asian, Pacific Islander Hispanic Two or more races Native American >1% White
630 Students
Participate in our 4K Program at 12 Partner Sites
1,895,340 SQUARE FEET OF FACILITIES
20,000 HOURS OF COMMUNITY USE OF FACILITIES
2,000+ STUDENTS participate in school choir, band, or orchestra 750 SCHOOL BREAKFASTS & 3,750 SCHOOL LUNCHES SERVED DAILY TO OUR STUDENTS
SUPPORTED BY
7
BOARD MEMBERS
Our boundaries extend across
10 MUNICIPALITIES & 79 SQUARE MILES
27
HIGH SCHOOL ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CLASSES
OUR
FACILITIES 9
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
2
MIDDLE SCHOOLS (GRADES 6–7)
1
UPPER MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 8–9)
1
HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 10–12)
1
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL
OUR
AMAZING STAFF
THAT SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS
WE SUPPORT OUR STAFF WITH: • Mentor Teachers • Instructional Coaches • T echnology Integrators and Coaches • Teacher Leadership
IN SUN PRAIRIE!
WE ARE SUPPORTED We thank our community partners for supporting student success! • Community Schools • City of Sun Prairie • B usiness and Education Partnership • S un Prairie Education Foundation • 4K Partner Sites • Boys and Girls Club • Rotary • Chamber of Commerce • Local businesses
BES wa
RIE
Best Place to Work
2018
A
VOTED
SUN P
AI
Futures depend on us...every child, every day.
OF
R
Sun Prairie Area School District
T
• P rofessional Development Opportunities
rde
r d by The Sta
3 YEARS IN A ROW!
At the Sun Prairie Area School District, we stand by all of
STAY CONNECTED AND INFORMED
our students, staff, and families.
Facebook: sunprairieschools The Sun Prairie Area School District celebrates and values our diverse community. We support and are inclusive of
Twitter: sunprairiek12
all students, staff, families, and community members of
Instagram: @sunprairieschooldistrict
all races, ethnicities, faiths, national origins, immigration statuses, political viewpoints, abilities, sexual orientations,
LinkedIn: Sun Prairie School District
and gender identities.
YouTube: Sun Prairie School District We stand by our students with disabilities and their families. We will continue to staunchly protect the rights of people of all abilities. All children will be safe and loved in our schools. Every Child, Every Day.
BECOME A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY We are proud to be a part of such an engaging community.
We invite you to visit our website regularly: sunprairieschools.org Stay in touch by calling us with any questions. We are here to help! • (608)-834-6500 Our District Office is located at: 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Come see how we build relationships with families, community members, and businesses that promote positive outcomes for students. #SUNPRAIRIESTRONG
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against or harassed because of the student’s sex (including gender identity, gender expression, and nonconformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or nonbelief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability. (SPASD Policy JB)