Mission

We, the Ferndale School District, prepare each student to thrive in an ever-changing world by providing a rigorous education that fosters academic growth, nurtures confidence, and encourages critical thinking. Our commitment to high expectations ensures every learner achieves their full potential. We cultivate resilience and innovation in each student and foster a sense of belonging in a safe and inclusive environment that emphasizes caring and compassion, preparing students for their future.

District Foundations

• Guarantee a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for academic, behavioral, and social emotional learning needs to ensure learning for all.
• Implement high-leverage instructional practices utilizing the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, inclusionary practices, and culturally responsive teaching.
• Ensure high quality professional development through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), intentionally collaborating to improve student outcomes.
• Establish a data rich culture utilizing standards-aligned assessment results to drive effective feedback for student learning.
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• Provide timely, clear, and accessible communication to students, staff, families, and the broader community to ensure everyone is informed and involved.

• Engage all families and community members through genuine communication and thoughtful outreach, focusing on sharing goals, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements.
• Break down barriers to engagement for families and community.
• Ensure language access for students and families to support connection and academic success.

• Prioritize physical and emotional school safety. Implement effective and efficient systems to streamline and support district operations.
• Proactively maintain our facilities, serving as our third teacher, at a high standard through preventative measures, while enhancing accessibility to ensure inclusive opportunities for all.
• Commit to utilizing the state-of-the-art kitchen at our new high school to enhance quality and nutrition in our schools, including scratch cooking options.

• Build and maintain systems to attract, support and retain a high-quality workforce reflective of the diversity of our community.
• Utilize data points to assess staff satisfaction and improve systems that support personnel.
• Refine evaluation processes to provide feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Build system capacity to continuously improve skills and knowledge through intentional onboarding and ongoing professional development.

Vision of the Student Experience 

"I am a learner"

• I work hard and I don’t give up. I learn challenging content with choice and flexibility.
• I can tell you what I am learning and why it’s relevant.

"I am seen and loved"

• In my school environment I feel safe and know I belong.
• I know the adults in my school care about me and believe in me.

"I matter and so does everyone else"

• I can be myself when I am at school and feel seen and heard for who I am.
• I uplift people of all cultures, abilities, and backgrounds.

 

Core Values / Beliefs 

 

Belonging & Inclusion:

Built on the principle of belonging, we believe in the boundless potential of our students. We are committed to ensuring that every individual is not only welcomed and included but also valued, respected, and provided with a seat at the table, honoring their unique capabilities, creating an environment where everyone thrives as their authentic selves.

 

Academics & Excellence:

Centered around growth and continual improvement, we embrace learner variability, remove barriers, and create inclusive environments. We ensure all children have access to meet rigorous and relevant standards to be future ready. Continuous improvement drives our commitment to learn and grow so we meet the needs of each student.

 

Community: 

Through our shared and unwavering commitment to our students, we place them at the heart of all our collective endeavors. We’re dedicated to ensuring our students’ safety and success, working hand in hand with families, agencies, and others to support each child in reaching their full potential.

 

Profile of a Graduate 

Academically Strong

• Uses culturally and politically relevant scientific concepts to navigate everyday problems.

  Adapts to change in technology and society.

• Possesses the critical thinking skills to analyze data from multiple sources and process it into an informative opinion and solve complex problems.
• Comprehends and crafts written and oral communication effectively.

Future Focused

• Becomes a lifelong learner.
• Explains what they want to become and understands how to get there.
• Resiliently persists and overcomes challenges.
• Sets and accomplishes goals.

Civic-Minded Community Leader

• Develops understanding of community and seeks ways to be inclusive.
• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity by valuing diverse perspectives.
• Participates in school and community events.
• Honors and values all cultures.

 

Workplace Ready

• Encourages upward movement and creates a learning rich environment.
• Invests in people and their futures.
• Takes and gives direction and assumes responsibility.
• Comprehends components of complex tasks and articulates outcomes clearly.

 

 

Goals, Outcomes, Performance Targets

Safety & Belonging	Increase the number of students who feel safe, seen, heard, supported, and respected. Increase the number of students in class learning.	We will increase Panorama climate/culture favorable survey results related to belonging from 3 out of 10 to 9 out of 10. We will increase attendance to 9 out of 10 students attending 90% or more school days each year.
Early Learning: Birth – Grade 3	Increase the number of students who are demonstrating proficiency by the end of kindergarten. Increase the number of students who are proficient in Reading, Writing, and Math by end of 3rd Grade.	We will increase the student target of 6 out of 6 domains in Gold by Teaching Strategies from 4 out of 10 students to 9 out of 10 students. We will increase 3rd grade SBAC results to 9 out of 10 students in reading and 9 out of 10 in math.
Mastery of Standards	Increase the number of students meeting standards in all classes. Increase the number of students meeting proficient levels on state and district assessments.	We will be the top performing district among our ten comparable districts in WA. We will increase the number of students achieving proficiency in reading and math to 9 out of 10 on SBAC.
Future Ready	Increase the number of students who are on track for graduation upon entry to each grade level, 8-12. Increase the amount of students who complete a college-ready transcript or CTE pathway. Increase graduation rates while decreasing disproportionality.	9 out of 10 of our ninth-grade students will have earned eight credits upon entering tenth grade. 10 of 10 students will complete a future- ready pathway. We will increase the number of graduating students in each demographic group to 9 out of 10.

 

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