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4K-2 Grade Configuration

At their meeting on October 11, 2023, the Monona Grove School Board unanimously supported a vote to implement a 4K-2 grade configuration for both Cottage Grove School (currently grades 1-2) and Taylor Prairie School (currently grades 4K-K) beginning in the 2025-26 school year. 

Background and Process

When Granite Ridge School (serving Cottage Grove students in grades 3-5) opened in 2021, Taylor Prairie School became a 4K-K building and Cottage Grove School became a grades 1-2 building. The decision on how to configure these grade levels was made in 2018 by the Monona Grove School Board. Now that the schools have operated in this configuration for two years, the School Board requested a review looking at successes and challenges within this model. 

The School Board’s Teaching, Learning and Equity (TLE) committee has heard from all the elementary principals and from district administrators on this model and a discussion with the full School Board was held at the June 14 Board meeting. Based on a recommendation from the members of the TLE committee, the School Board indicated that they would like to further examine reconfiguring both Taylor Prairie and Cottage Grove Schools into neighborhood schools where each school would serve students in grades 4K-2. The TLE committee engaged in a further review based on three key considerations: the student experience, the financial impact, and communication and engagement with families, staff, and the community. Once the review was complete, the committee presented their report and a recommendation to the School Board at their meeting on Wednesday, September 13. At their October 11, 2023, meeting, the Board voted unanimously in support of the recommendation to implement a 4K-2 grade configuration for both Cottage Grove School and Taylor Prairie School, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. 

Next Steps

The planning and implementation phase will begin immediately, and will involve families, staff, and community stakeholders. We are committed to seeking your feedback throughout this phase, and to providing thoughtful communication with you. In the coming days and weeks, district leadership will continue to develop a proposal to the Board on how to involve stakeholders from our community in the implementation process.  

current schools and grade configurations
current schools and grade configurations

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Timeline

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions. Questions and answers will continue to be added as the planning and implementation process continue. Don't see your question listed? Email us at configuration@mgschools.net

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