Community Schools

First-grade teacher Karina Araujo Sierra and lead custodian Jorge Araujo share their experiences and dedication to the dual-language immersion school.

Students teamed up with the Wisconsin Badgers for a slam dunk day of activities, celebrating reading and athletics!

Henderson Elementary Village Builder, Guadalupe (“Lupe”) Banda, has served Henderson students and families in a number of capacities. He was eager to become a Village Builder when the opportunity arose.

MMSD’s Student Engagement Specialists (SES) are critical resources for students, helping support the educational shift from middle to high school.

“Miss Brenda” has been volunteering at Orchard Ridge Elementary School since 2019. After a successful career in finance, she now supports 1st grade students with math in small groups every Wednesday. 

Kennedy Elementary School became the district’s eighth Full Service Community School on July 1, 2024.

UW Athletics began a new Adopt-a-School partnership with our eight Community Schools. This primarily involves UW student-athletes visiting one-to-two 2nd grade classrooms each week throughout the school year to read and give a book to students.

We have accomplished a lot over the last six months, including bringing on a new community school and creating a new partnership. Your support and investment amplifies our team’s impact, and empowers us to serve the whole student and whole family.

Second grade students explored different forms of energy and sustainability practices with experts from Madison Gas and Electric. 

Delve into the multitude of distinctive and marvelous activities taking place across our diverse array of Community Schools.

Embark on an immersive journey into the heart of our community schools during our upcoming Community School Visits, where donors and partners will experience the vibrant learning environments, innovative initiatives, and transformative impact shaping the success of our students, families, and community.

During Black History Month, embracing the theme of "African Americans and the Arts" will inspire students to explore the rich cultural heritage of African Americans, fostering an appreciation for diversity, representation, and inclusivity in both the arts and society as a whole.

Holli Davis, a first-grade teacher at Thoreau Elementary School, collaborates with retired MMSD teacher Brenda Hinahara, creating a supportive environment where 25% of her students have achieved remarkable academic growth.

In a heartwarming celebration, MMSD recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of its beloved Read Your Heart Out program, featuring the program's visionary founders, Michelle Belnavis and Andreal Davis, along with notable community organizations.

At Black Hawk Middle, Student Engagement Specialist Mikiea Price's rapport-building with students and passionate advocacy initiated a transformative shift in school culture.

Get to know the newest member of the MMSD Community Schools team

Join us in congratulating fourth grade teacher Julie Rice, who was nominated by her fellow teachers for this award.

After completing her student teaching at Sandburg, Stephanie Ontiveros returned as the school’s new fourth grade ELI teacher.

We come to you with an update on our recent quest for the Full-Service Community Schools Grant—an endeavor that embodies our unwavering commitment to redefining the educational landscape for our beloved community.

The strategic vision of Community Schools has been launched this school year with a different mindset. With recreating the structure of Community Schools and all of its partners involved, we are in the process of redesigning how the individual schools work collectively. 

A small group of volunteers is making a big impact at Aldo Leopold Elementary School! This month, staff kicked off a "walking school bus," in neighborhoods near the school.

Learn more about how our Community Schools are addressing the needs of students through these individual school updates from fall/winter 2023.

Student Engagement Specialists’ ‘specialty’ is ensuring schools don’t just inspire minds but also capture the hearts of students. 

Staff and families have seen tremendous growth in students as they were grounded in school routines, learning goals, and self-expression, especially in the classrooms with Village Builders. 

Four years ago, Lake View Elementary implemented creative solution to try to improve student attendance rates by creating a "Walking School Bus." Now they are seeing results. 

It’s award season for MMSD staff! This month, MMSD staff members across the district have earned three awards for their dedication to students and the community.

We were honored to host Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta of Fitchburg, Wisconsin at Leopold Elementary. Her visit underscored the link between local government and education, highlighting a commitment to our community.

In this season of gratitude, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the generous supporters and donors who have stood by our side as unwavering champions of our Community Schools.

We're thrilled to share a groundbreaking moment in the journey of Madison Metropolitan School District's (MMSD) Community Schools. For the first time ever, we've submitted an application for the highly competitive 2023 Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Competition, a national grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education.

We're excited to announce our collaboration with the Madison Public Schools Foundation, MTI, NEA, and the Wisconsin Coalition for Community Schools to elevate education and community involvement. Stay tuned for updates on our collective efforts.

Bucky's Big Event, a university-wide service event where students have the opportunity to explore volunteering interests and develop their passion for giving back to the community.

Get to know our newest member of the MMSD Community Schools.

The School Improvement Planning (SIP) process forms our bedrock, unifying schools and leaders around MMSD's core values. Through this dynamic framework, we ignite innovation, empowering leaders to champion our shared principles. Together, we craft a brighter future for students and our community, driven by unwavering commitment to our core values.

MMSD's Community Schools staff ignited a transformative journey at their Summer Institute. This event strengthened bonds and amplified their collective impact. United in purpose, they are now poised to pioneer change, making education and community thrive.

The Student Engagement Specialist position was designed to be a developmental position for entry-level staff as a recruitment and retention strategy that aligns with the District’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Village Builders go beyond classroom support by extending the village to families and neighborhoods.

Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary happenings at our Community Schools this autumn. As the leaves change, so do the possibilities within our vibrant educational hubs. Join us on a journey of discovery as we unveil a tapestry of inspiration and growth within each of our schools.

Become a volunteer and supporting public education as well as coming together to support each other.

Bucky's Big Event, a university-wide service event where students have the opportunity to explore volunteering interests and develop their passion for giving back to the community.

Updates on our farm-to-table process and ways to celebrate School Garden Day.

Scholars from 4K through fifth grade performed choreographed renditions of their favorite tunes by artists associated with the legendary Black-owned record label

Mendota Elementary has been working on a 4th and 5th grade stepping group called the Mendota Stompers.