Each school year, the Latta School District is committed to continuous improvement, high expectations, and creating meaningful opportunities for every student to succeed. As we move forward with a renewed vision for teaching and learning, our district is embracing the Leader in Me framework as a foundation for developing the whole child and empowering students and staff to become leaders in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Through the 5 Paradigms—Everyone Can Be a Leader, Everyone Has Genius, Change Starts With Me, Educators Empower Students to Lead Their Own Learning, and Develop the Whole Person—we are building a culture where every student is known, valued, challenged, and encouraged to reach his or her full potential.
Our district is also embracing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as shared language and common practices across our schools. Students and staff are learning to Be Proactive, Begin With the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, Synergize, and Sharpen the Saw. These habits are helping us strengthen leadership, responsibility, collaboration, goal setting, relationships, and personal growth while preparing students with the skills they need for success in school, careers, and life.
A major component of our district-wide academic focus is #VikingsReadVikingsLead, our commitment to strengthening literacy while developing student leaders. We believe that Vikings Read so that Vikings can Lead. Through intentional literacy instruction, a renewed focus on reading achievement, and opportunities for students to apply their learning, we are working to ensure that every student develops the reading skills necessary to access rigorous content, communicate effectively, think critically, and pursue future goals. Literacy and leadership are interconnected, and we are committed to creating readers who are confident, capable, and prepared to lead.
Latta Elementary School, including its Montessori program, provides students with a strong foundation for academic achievement, leadership, and lifelong learning. Through engaging instruction that emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, independence, and collaboration, students are encouraged to recognize their unique strengths and develop their leadership potential. The school continues to provide a safe, supportive, family-like environment where students are challenged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Through #VikingsReadVikingsLead, literacy is a central priority, with a focus on building strong readers and ensuring students develop the foundational skills needed to successfully access grade-level standards. Our goal is for every student to enter middle school prepared academically and equipped with the confidence, habits, and leadership skills needed to continue pursuing his or her goals.
Latta Middle School continues to engage students through its STEAM program—Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics—along with Project-Based Learning, technology, robotics, and other opportunities that encourage students to apply their learning in authentic ways. Through the Leader in Me framework, students are encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning, set meaningful goals, and develop the habits necessary for success. Literacy remains an essential component across all content areas as students strengthen their ability to read, write, communicate, and think critically. Students are also encouraged to explore careers and have intentional conversations with faculty about their interests, strengths, and future goals. We believe students should begin developing a vision for their future well before high school, and our work with #VikingsReadVikingsLead helps students connect literacy, leadership, learning, and future success.
Latta High School continues its tradition of excellence while preparing students for college, career, and life beyond graduation. The International Baccalaureate program provides rigorous academic opportunities, with a goal of increasing participation to 40% of each graduating class. Students gain valuable real-world experiences through internships, job shadowing, career exploration, and other opportunities that help them make informed decisions about their future pathways. College and career readiness remains a priority, including expanding access to dual-credit opportunities and connecting students to the needs and opportunities of local business and industry. Through the Leader in Me framework, high school students are challenged to take ownership of their goals, demonstrate leadership, develop strong interpersonal skills, and make intentional decisions about their future. The school’s activities, clubs, athletic programs, and performing arts continue to provide opportunities for students to develop their talents, build relationships, and represent the Latta Vikings with pride, resulting in continued statewide recognition and championships.
Across the Latta School District, we are committed to creating a culture where every student can lead, every student can learn, and every student can succeed. We recognize that academic achievement, literacy, leadership, and personal growth are interconnected. Through Leader in Me, the 5 Paradigms, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and our #VikingsReadVikingsLead literacy focus, we are building a common vision and language that extends from the classroom to the community. Our district will continue to invest in the resources, professional learning, programs, and partnerships necessary to provide a safe, supportive, and challenging environment where students and staff are empowered to grow.
At Latta, we believe our future is built one reader, one leader, and one opportunity at a time. #VikingsReadVikingsLead
Stephanie J. Ard
Superintendent
