Why Would You Choose to Attend Hartford Union High School?
After almost one year in the Hartford Union High School District, I’ve been asked, many times, “Why do parents choose to send their young learners to Hartford Union High School”? This is a very good question, and one asked by many parents today in the Wisconsin open enrollment environment. Increasing numbers of parents and guardians are seeking to find the best and most appropriate educational environment for their children. Many decisions are made during the transition years (elementary to middle school to high school. So, we need to be well prepared to answer the question, with confidence, and to provide data to back up our response.
It is no longer in our best interest to count on parents enrolling their learners in the high school because, ‘I heard it is a good school.’ Parents want, and deserve better information, or they will go elsewhere. Today, unfortunately, we lose to open enrollment annually, approximately 30 more students leave than are gained from elsewhere (private schools, faith based schools, home schooled and other public schools). We must turn the current trend line around. HUHS is an excellent school, and we should be gaining rather than losing students in the open enrollment marketplace today.
So, why would I enroll my young, high school learner in HUHS? Although this is not all inclusive, let me list ten reasons why you should do so:
- We have one of the most comprehensive high schools in the State with programs and services for the college bound to those interested in walking directly into the world of work. Today, we offer twelve (12) Advance Placement courses for the serious college bound as well as one of the finest technology and engineering facilities, offering forty-three (43) courses.
- Although we serve approximately 1,700 students, the staff here has done an excellent job of creating smaller learning communities within a large student population.
- The high school extra/co-curricular program provides a wide range of options and opportunities for student participation compared with other school districts in our area, from athletics, to the fine arts, and from drama, to student council. Students can choose from many club activities as well as academic challenges provided in Model United Nations and Robotics.
- We have established intervention programs and strategies to catch struggling learners as early as possible to enhance their opportunity to succeed rather than fail. We support as part of our intervention planning, English and mathematics resource center; and learning centers for students who need individual help with course work.
- We continue to make available to our students a wide selection of elective opportunities, including art, agricultural – science, technology and engineering, business and information technology, and family and consumer education.
- The district has made a commitment to health and wellness through our health and physical education curriculum focused on lifetime activities and a school nutrition program.
- The Board is committed to ensuring the students have access to the technology related tools to transition successfully beyond high school. At this time, we have approximately 700 computers, with 555 available to students or a ratio of approximately, 3.2 students to every computer and we’re integrating technology into all curricula across the school as appropriate.
- Our music program (band, orchestra and vocal music) is one of the finest in the State, and at this point we are still able to provide1-1band lessons.
- We have a school board committed to becoming the highest performing team in the State, always focusing on ‘what’s best for kids.’
- Most importantly, HUHS, and our student population, are blessed with ‘a caring staff’ willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure a student succeeds. During my short time here, I have found staff members willing to give up whatever time is necessary, if asked, to ensure a learner is not left behind.
We are committed to excellence in teaching and continually work to ensure that our teachers have the opportunities and support they need to grow and learn so they’re able to apply the most effective instructional practices in the classroom.
I am troubled that too often what school communities hear about HUHS is not our good news, but only negative news that makes headlines. Truly, I‘m saddened by the poor image that is created by some of these reports, and could counter with hundreds of good news stories about our student population.
But, instead, the 2% that cause us challenges receive 100% of the media attention. My promise, from henceforth, is to work very hard at sharing the good news with members of our school community. We have good kids, great teachers, and for the most part, a very, very supportive community and parents.
As we turn the corner on the next school year, we will be investing heavily in the development of a strategic plan, with a commendable commitment of time from a diverse representation of individuals from our school community. As an organization, we need to be sure our compass is focused on preparing students for the future, and providing our staff with the tools to get the job done well. Accordingly, as we redevelop our mission, beliefs, objectives, and strategies, you can rest assured that we will build on this list of the ten reasons for students to become a part of HUHS now. So it is with both excitement and enthusiasm that I look forward to sharing the strategic plan with the entire school community thereafter.
Best,
Michael L. Kremer, Ph.D.
Superintendent |