Submitted by John Groh, District Administrator, School District of Spring Valley
SPRING VALLEY, WI – The School District of Spring Valley is celebrating a year of exceptional progress while inviting the community to help shape the district’s next chapter. On Wisconsin’s 2024–25 state academic assessments, Spring Valley made one of the most significant jumps in the state—rising from 76th to 48th out of all 421 districts. This places the district solidly within the top 12% statewide.
District leaders attribute this success to the collective efforts of students, teachers, families, administrators, the school board, and the broader community. “When our learning community stays focused on grade-level standards and student data, it brings coherence to instruction across classrooms, and that shared focus has been a key driver of our success” said Amy Webb, director of curriculum and instruction.
Spring Valley’s teachers have played a central role by aligning instruction to state standards, using assessment data to refine their teaching, and adapting creatively to meet students’ needs. Administrators have focused on ways to improve attendance, strengthen relationships with students, refined curriculum to maximize instructional impact, and promoted research-based teaching practices. These combined efforts have helped teachers focus on what matters most for student learning.
The School Board’s strategic priorities have also fueled this growth. By investing in professional development and maintaining competitive compensation, the board has ensured the district can recruit and retain highly skilled educators. Meanwhile, the community continues to be an essential partner—providing excellent facilities, supporting students at school events, and approving the recent April referendum, which will enhance opportunities for students well into the future.
Only three, K-12 districts in western or northern Wisconsin—Spring Valley, Elmwood, and Elk Mound—ranked within the top 30 statewide. Spring Valley has partnered with both neighboring districts in recent years and proudly celebrates and congratulates them on their success.
As the district builds on this momentum, it is turning to the community for guidance on the future. Beginning the week of December 1, 2025, all households within the district will receive a postcard with a link to an important community survey. Next week the link will also be available on the district website. The survey, administered anonymously by the same independent firm used in recent years, seeks to gather input from families, staff, and residents about district strengths and areas for improvement.
The survey will remain open through December 22. In January 2026 the district will host a community meal and meeting where survey results will be shared and where participants will help renew the district’s 3–5-year strategic plan. This plan will become the blueprint guiding Spring Valley’s priorities and decisions in the years ahead.
District leaders underscore the importance of community participation. School Board President Monica Vorlicek shared the following “Surveys are an essential resource for the SDSV board members as we can use the feedback to make decisions that are better informed and responsive for the community. Implementing best practices and addressing potential challenges will ensure that the survey remains a valuable part of the board’s informational toolkit.”
