School Crossings

October 2026

Helping our community better understand how our schools work, how they're funded, and how we're preparing students for the future.

How do we know our students are learning and succeeding? It's an important question, and one that can't be answered by a single number. Student success can vary greatly for each individual child.

State assessments are one important tool for understanding student achievement. They help us see how students are performing in key academic areas, identify trends over time, and better understand where we're making progress and where additional attention may be needed.

All schools in the School District of the Menomonie Area met or exceeded expectations on last year’s Wisconsin State Accountability Report Cards. This is an important piece of information given that these reports measure student achievement, academic growth over multiple years, and several career, college, and life readiness indicators like graduation and attendance rates. 

Over the next several weeks, SDMA teachers, administrators, and school board members will be reviewing updated accountability reports, school & student learning objectives, and initial student achievement screening data for this year. 

But assessment results are most valuable when we use them to ask the next question: What do we do with what we've learned? SDMA educators use this information to plan for classroom instruction, develop priorities for providing student supports, and to identify areas for professional development. Our schools use achievement data, along with what educators see every day in classrooms, to identify strengths, understand where students may need additional support, and continually improve teaching and learning. The goal isn't simply a better score. It's helping more students learn, grow, and be prepared for what comes next.

Supporting the Whole Student

Academic measures tell us important things about student progress, but they aren't the whole picture. Students are better positioned to learn when they feel safe, connected, welcomed, and supported.

We also know young people can face challenges that aren't always visible in a classroom or reflected in a test score. At different points, students may experience stress, anxiety, loss, family challenges, bullying, or other situations where they need additional support.

That's why supporting student success means caring about the whole student, not only how they're doing academically, but also whether they have the relationships, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Our schools are here to help. Students and families can reach out to a building principal, school counselor, teacher, or other trusted district staff member when they have questions, concerns, or need assistance. The district also provides instruction, resources, and support related to mental health, suicide prevention, bullying awareness, and other student needs.

Sometimes knowing when a student needs additional support isn't as easy to measure as a test score. But it's every bit as important to the services provided as a public school district.

We Want to Hear From You

Understanding how our students and schools are doing also requires listening to our community. School Board members will continue hosting Community Listening Sessions throughout the year as an informal opportunity to ask questions, share what's important to you, and help us better understand the perspectives of those we serve.

October Community Listening Session

Friday, October 16 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Don & Nona Williams Stadium
During the MHS football game

Additional opportunities will continue throughout the school year. Watch the district website and social media for future dates and locations.

Whether we're looking at achievement data, supporting a student through a difficult moment, or listening to our community, the goal is the same: understanding the whole picture so we can help every student succeed.

September 2026

Helping our community better understand how our schools work, how they're funded, and how we're preparing students for the future.

When we think about what it takes for students to succeed, great teachers and strong academics are often the first things that come to mind. They are essential. But supporting students throughout their educational journey requires much more.

Each day, our district provides a wide range of services and opportunities that help students arrive at school ready to learn, feel supported while they're here, and discover interests and experiences that prepare them for what comes next. That includes transportation that gets students safely to and from school, nutritious meals that help them stay focused, counseling and student support services, well-maintained buildings and learning environments, and activities, athletics, arts, clubs, and other opportunities that help students find a place to belong.

The numbers help illustrate the reach of some of these services. More than 40% of SDMA students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and on an average school day, the district serves 1,416 breakfasts and 1,853 lunches. At Menomonie High School, 90.2% of students participate in at least one school activity, another important way students build connections, develop skills, and become part of their school community. 

Learning also extends beyond the traditional school year. Summer school provides students with opportunities to strengthen academic skills, explore new interests, and stay connected to learning during the summer months. This year alone, 1,957 students participated in SDMA summer school. 

These services may happen outside the classroom, but they are an important part of the educational experience the district provides. They also illustrate the complexity of operating a public school district and the many people, programs, facilities, and resources working together every day to support students.

Over the coming months, our Understanding Our Schools series will take a closer look at many of these topics. We'll explore student achievement, accountability, school finance, district planning, facilities, and other issues that affect our schools and community. Our goal isn't simply to tell you what the district does, but to make it easier to understand how and why we do it.

We Also Want to Hear From You

As part of this effort, School Board members are hosting Community Listening Sessions throughout the year. These informal conversations give you a chance to ask questions, share what matters to you, and help us better understand our community’s perspectives so we can listen well, make informed decisions, and be responsive to the needs of those we serve. 

Upcoming Community Listening Sessions

Saturday, September 5, 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., Menomonie Public Library 

Sunday, September 20, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Brewery Nønic 

Additional sessions at other locations will be announced throughout the fall. Watch the district website and social media for the latest opportunities to participate.

Whether you have children in our schools or simply care about the future of our community, we hope you'll follow along, ask questions, and join the conversation.