Guiding Principles and Vision

The Vision and Strategic Planning

An info graphic with a school building title "well-resourced schools", two people with gear shifts "staff, services and programs', a single person with title "students" and smaller building with title "building spaces", the title below the graphic is Academic Vision: Equity and Excellence. — (click to enlarge graphic)

Our goal is that every school in our district will uphold our community’s values and offer a comprehensive education to prepare students for lifelong success. A well-resourced school is a central hub for students, families, staff, and community.

A well-resourced elementary school has everything it needs to help students learn and succeed, including learning tools and materials, as well as teachers and staff who care about students’ well-being and success.

Because SPS operates more than 70 schools serving our youngest students, the recommendation of transition to a system of well-resourced schools focuses on the schools that serve students in preschool through 5th grade, including elementary and K-8 schools.

Our main goal is to make sure students get a great education, even when we face challenges.

Well-Resourced Schools Vision

Reimagining our elementary schools to deliver on bold goals while launching our strategic plan with the right resources in place across our system. Well-Resourced Schools are one of the ways we make this happen.

Other elements of the vision and strategic planning for our district include ensuring we have student and campus safety, transportation efficiency, inclusive classrooms that offer the services our students need (including advanced learning and special education), fiscal stabilization, and implementation of Student Outcomes Focused Governance.

A well-resourced school has programs and services to support student development.

Graphic that includes 8 components with icons and text. - Multiple teachers per grade level - Stable support staff - Inclusive learning for EVERY student - Social and emotional learning support -Art, music, and PE teachers - Stable operational budgets - Safe, healthy, and beautiful schools and grounds - Connections to the community — *(click to enlarge graphic)*

IEP (special education) , advanced learning, and multilingual services provided inclusively in every school
Multiple sections per grade allows for robust educator support and collaboration.
Most schools have enrollment of over 400 students which supports allocation of the services all students need and deserve.
Prioritized classrooms for Special Education intensive services in all schools so most students can be served in their neighborhood school.

Academic Vision and Well-Resourced Schools

These three components will help SPS deliver our academic vision and support the creation of a system of well-resourced schools:

Staff and Programs: 400 student enrollment will drive strong, stable staffing to provide IEP (special education), advanced learning, multilingual services, more preschool classroom, and consistent social/emotional supports.
Building Spaces: School buildings that are in good condition and have the right number of classrooms and other spaces to support large group, small group, and one-on-one learning are essential.
Students: Students are known and cared for in buildings with comprehensive staffing.

Consistently implement research-based and evidence-supported practices across all our schools:

Universal Design For Learning: ALL students have access to high quality first-time instruction with support and challenge tailored to individual learners.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports: School staff and resources organized to provide support and challenge; student growth is regularly assessed and celebrated.

Restorative Practices: Schools create safe, respectful, caring classrooms and communities.

Aligned and Consistent Assessments: We continually assess the impact of our instruction to adjust and adapt.

Transitioning to a system of well-resourced schools will ensure that every school has the resources for students to benefit from these impactful practices.

Above strategies will exist in all schools that serve students in kindergarten – 5th grade.
Mitigates Disparity in Outcomes: Our current system reveals a disparity in outcomes, producing excellent results for some students while falling short for others.
Supports 3rd Grade Literacy Focus: This milestone serves as a primary indicator of future academic success, directly influencing outcomes in seventh-grade mathematics and college and career readiness and joyful learning.

Guiding Principles

The vision for a system of well-resourced schools will:

Achieve strategic plan goals with inclusive learning and support for all
Support for special education and inclusionary practices
Enhance services for multi-lingual learners
Expand access to Advanced Learning
Strengthen and stabilize neighborhood schools
Consider the building condition and learning environment
Scale system to suit projected enrollment and regional student population density
Efficiently utilize building capacity and middle school service area capacity
Allocate resources to achieve an equitable system
Consider the regional population density and the equitable regional distribution of schools throughout our city