Schools That Work

Kettle Moraine High School

Public, Suburban
Grades 9-12
Wales, WI

Located in the small community of Wales, Wisconsin, Kettle Moraine High School Campus houses a 1,065-student traditional public high school along with three public charter schools, all within the same building.

In addition to sharing staff, events, and sports teams, this innovative clustering of school types allows Kettle Moraine to experiment with pedagogical practices and identify outstanding new ideas for broader, whole-campus adoption. Kettle Moraine’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to initiatives that encourage students to take ownership over their schooling—and staff to continuously develop and reinvent themselves as professionals.

Proof Points

  • Earned the highest accountability rating from the Wisconsin Department of Education in the 2016–17 school year.
  • Achieved a 97 percent graduation rate over the last five years, exceeding the state average of 88 percent.
  • Outperformed the state in academic achievement for both math and English language arts for the past three years.
Principal Jeff Walters looks at a wall of college banners.
Learning Environments

A ‘University’ Model for High School

In small-town Wisconsin, four schools cluster on one campus, fostering a culture of experimentation and self-directed learning for both students and teachers.

Nora Fleming
  • Assessment

    Demonstrations of Learning

    Competency-based education personalizes how students show mastery by giving them choice in how they’re assessed.
  • Professional Learning

    Using Video for Professional Development

    When teachers film themselves in the classroom, it helps them reflect on and improve their teaching practice.
  • Professional Learning

    Teachers Learning From Each Other

    Educators can provide valuable professional development by opening up their classrooms to their peers.
  • Communication Skills

    60-Second Strategy: Discussion Mapping

    Following discussions with a quick reflection exercise helps students sharpen their speaking and listening skills.

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