A One-to-One Approach From PreK-12

The news today is flooded with stories about large class sizes and the lack of personal attention in our schools. That's why visitors to Southgate Community Schools are always surprised by its depth of "one-to-one" programs designed to provide the personal attention sometimes lacking in other schools.

"As we've grown over the decades, we've never lost sight that each student is an important and unique individual," said Southgate Community Schools Superintendent David Peden. "We provide a wide range of opportunities for our students to learn and grow, including individualized support programs to make sure that no child falls behind and every student has opportunities to reach their potential."

Paying attention to the student as an individual means going beyond test scores and making sure each child truly receives a complete education. With so much emphasis today on standardized test scores, many school districts “teach to the test” – Southgate schools pride themselves on “teaching to the student”.

At Southgate, the district's curriculum has been designed to provide a broad-based education that exceeds state guidelines and goes beyond traditional instruction, to focus on students’ natural curiosity for knowledge.

"We focus on teaching kids in a real world context and not expecting kids to learn the way it was taught to their parents' generation," Peden said. "We apply subjects like science and mathematics to relevant topics that kids can understand and relate to their lives, which makes understanding the fundamental concepts easier."

Southgate has some of the best standardized test scores in Wayne County, and is consistently ranked as one of the top districts in the county for its K-8 MEAP scores.

The Digital Generation Learns Through Technology

Because children today are part of the digital generation, and are comfortable using technology from an early age, the district integrates multimedia learning tools into all aspects of the classroom. "We believe it is an essential tool to capture students’ attention and imagination," says Superintendent Peden, "Not only does it keep their attention and engage them in the topic, it inspires them to want to learn more."

From the youngest students in elementary school, Southgate uses cutting-edge tools like iPod Touch devices to keep children interested in core subjects like English, social studies and science. Abstract content seems more "real" to students with the aid of these innovative tools.

The district has been recognized for its work with technology by the State of Michigan, and two of its support staff and a teacher – Mike Toschi, Wendy Nowak, and Scott Piestrak – have been awarded MACUL’s (Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning) Technology Director of the Year, Outstanding Technology Educator of the Year, and Outstanding Technology Teacher Runner-up awards, respectively. The Technology staff was also awarded the Education Excellence Award by MASB for their professional development program.

Expanding the Ranks

And while other districts are reducing the number of teachers in their ranks, Southgate has brought in new instructors to support its one-to-one approach to individual achievement, giving students the attention necessary to maintain progress.

At the elementary level, the district continues to implement and support programs like "Reading Recovery," which helps students master reading, phonics and comprehension. In addition to Reading Recovery, Southgate has hired an additional 10 teacher Interventionists at the elementary level for an at-risk student program. At the middle- and high school level, computer-based supplemental programs and tutors are dispatched throughout the schools to guarantee students are performing at, or above, grade level throughout their academic careers.

At the secondary level, Southgate offers more honors and advanced placement courses than any other Downriver school district and student achievement is clearly demonstrated by the number of kids who take and attain top scores on college entrance exams.

The district also recognizes the importance of skilled trades, and offers all students an opportunity to participate in a host of vocational and technical classes that give kids hands-on experience in fields like graphic arts, automotive repair, robotics and construction trades.

In addition, Southgate offers an award winning alternative high which was named the Michigan Alternative Education Organization’s 2004 School of the Year. The district also houses a highly successful adult and enrichment program, which was named The 2003 Community School District of the Year by the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education. Licensed Latchkey programs are available in each elementary building and one middle school. All four programs, the alternative high school, the adult education program, the enrichment program and Latchkey demonstrate Southgate’s commitment to “Learning for Life.”

Athletics and the Arts Make Better Students

And, because studies have conclusively shown that athletic opportunity helps make great scholars, Southgate boasts more sports teams than any district Downriver.

While many schools rely on a few core sports to bolster student achievement, Southgate offers male and female sports that fit nearly every taste, including rowing, bowling, and golf, as well as traditional sports such as football, basketball, baseball. In fact, the district’s alternative high school was awarded a grant from the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) to develop and support The Asher Golf Program.

Arts and humanities also play a starring role in the overall curriculum at Southgate. The district has a broad offering of fine arts programs, including drama, choir, band and music that give students the opportunity to express their creative talents.

The diversity of opportunities, exceptional support and individual attention to each student has earned Southgate Community Schools its reputation as one of the best districts in the county. Southgate Community Schools is the best choice for students and parents.