• October 9, 2025

    Dear UCS Staff and Families,

    Utica Community Schools is committed to its vision of empowering all students to transform their future and the world. To that end, I want to share with you an update on an important initiative that is tied to our strategic planning process. It directly supports our vision and reflects the high expectations we have in our schools for learning and behavior outcomes for all our students.

    Our UCS Empowered Strategic Plan process is grounded in the effective use of data. While UCS students continue to outperform their peers on average, there are subsets of students with unique needs who are not experiencing a level of growth when compared to all students. To truly realize our vision, we need to have an even deeper understanding of how we can support increased achievement. In addition to looking at student achievement data, information is being collected through a series of focus groups and school and classroom visits to seek a deeper answer. Student, parent and staff voices are important to the process, and representatives from each group will be included in the focus groups. 

    The work is being led by a coalition composed of both district and school-based leadership and staff representing general education, English learner support, and support for students with IEPs from all levels from all areas of the district. Their work is supported by our educational partner, New Solutions K12, which provides facilitation support, a deep understanding of best-practice research, and a national perspective from other successful school districts.

    In September, we began this study with a series of focus groups that gave each of our principals an opportunity to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas related to our services to support students who struggle academically. The coalition will serve as a sounding board for initial recommendations, to support our leaders in planning for implementation, and most importantly provide invaluable two-way communication with parents and staff.

    In addition, district and school leaders conducted classroom visits at the elementary, junior high, high school and adult levels at ten different school and program sites, within the district, to get a feel for the instructional practices and programs in place to support individuals with disabilities and other students who struggle.

    Other activities over the next few months will feature additional focus groups to continue gaining insight into our current practices and formulate recommendations to improve outcomes for all students.

    We are in a great moment in time at Utica Community Schools. Our focus on the future would not be possible without our talented and committed staff, the partnerships we have with our families and communities, a strong strategic planning process, and a legacy of excellence that reflects our community’s enduring values.  

    We look forward to the journey ahead and how we can continue to partner for the success of all our students. More information and updates are available at this link.  

    Sincerely,

    Robert S. Monroe
    Superintendent of Schools