To our community: There was an interesting national study released over the summer conducted by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation that relates directly to the work we are doing at Spring Lake Park Schools. For Gen Zers in middle and high school, the most important predictor of whether they feel excited about and prepared for their future is the extent to which they feel engaged at school. Makes sense.

Sadly, on this national survey, nearly every measure of engagement declined from 2023 to 2024 across the country. The largest drops were in students’ being interested in and challenged by what they are learning. More than half of students reported they don’t have the opportunity to do schoolwork that aligns with their interests or talents.

While this is sobering, there is some good news from our students. We surveyed students about their engagement for the first time last year, and our students reported much higher levels of engagement than the national results. The work our teachers are doing to personalize learning and design work that appeals to students’ interests, needs and motives is paying dividends - and there is more to do.

This year, we are taking further steps to create work that students find engaging and relevant to their lives. Teacher leaders were in throughout this summer and early fall designing and planning professional learning to support their colleagues. Teachers at every level are working together to share ideas, build on successes and deepen engagement.

With SLP Experience, we aim to provide a peek into the work we’re doing. You can learn more about creative and meaningful hands-on work that builds life-ready skills. We showcase teachers as designers and facilitators of learning – with kids owning their own learning in powerful ways. And, there are examples of students persisting through challenges in order to learn.

The work our teachers and staff do is only possible because of the community support we experience. We have wonderful facilities and so many student opportunities thanks to this community. We also have hundreds of community partners investing time to work with teachers and students to design learning that prepares students for their unique career, college and life path. Thank you!

Enjoy Local, Live Theater

Spring Lake Park Schools is home to award-winning theater and outstanding student productions. Don’t miss these shows! Get tickets.

• “Puffs (For Young Wizards)” | October 25-26, November 1-2
• “Lost Boys” | December 6-7
• “Girls in the Boat” a one-act play | January 17-18
• “High School Musical” | February 27-28, March 1 “
• Hello, Dolly!” | April 25-26, May 2-4

Something for everyone in Community Education

Family Events: 

• Wolf Howl Bonfire - Nov. 9, 3:30-6 p.m. @Wildlife Science Center
• Let’s Clay: Gnomes - Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. @SLPHS Cafeteria

Classes for adults: Check out popular Badminton and Pickleball options late this fall and winter. The free Indoor Walking Club meets now through March 29 on Saturdays, 9-10:30 a.m. beginning in the Spring Lake Park High School cafeteria.

Register today.