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We serve approximately 7,300 students in seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and a charter high school Our diverse student body comes from households speaking 60 different languages
We offer a broad range of academic, arts, and athletic programs, and we have a long history of strong student participation and achievement In the 2024–2025 school year, students at Middleton High School—the largest in Wisconsin, serving nearly 2,400 students—earned three state championships in athletics, and the marching band was named state champion
We are honored to have earned multiple national accolades, including being ranked the #1 school district in Dane County by Niche com and having the #1 elementary school in Wisconsin (Pope Farm Elementary) Also, U.S. News has nationally recognized Middleton High School as one of the top high schools in the country!
One of our proudest accomplishments was being honored with a 2025 Wisconsin State Journal Top Workplaces Award This award recognizes employers who acknowledge accomplishment; provide work-life balance; and create a supportive, transparent and mission-driven work environment It was especially meaningful to be the first school district to receive this distinction
We are excited to introduce to you, in these pages, our schools and the thriving community that we are happy to call home
With gratitude,
Dr Dana E Monogue
MCPASD Superintendent
Middleton is a vibrant hub of commerce, recreation, dining, and natural beauty. Offering the amenities of a larger city while retaining its small-town charm, Middleton lives up to its reputation as the Good Neighbor City.
MCPASD is proud of its supportive community and strong partnerships with local leaders.
If you are not familiar with MCPASD or the Middleton and Cross Plains communities, we are happy to give you a sneak peek This guide is designed to help you learn more about our District and the communities where we live and work
At MCPASD, we strive to be a workplace where teachers and staff are empowered and supported We also work closely with our community and business partners to build on our schools’ strong foundations and keep the momentum going in our excellent academic, athletic, and arts programs
We are part of a tight-knit community that offers the warmth of a small town plus the perks of being only 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Madison and the UW–Madison campus
People here will tell you that we are proud to be a small city with a big-city feel—and our schools are the heart of our community
We are excited that you are interested in our District! Together, let’s make a difference!
PLEASE NOTE: This guide contains a nonexhaustive list of businesses, activities, and restaurants in the Middleton and Cross Plains communities These are staff recommendations, but they are not endorsed by MCPASD
● We have been named the #1 school district in the Madison area for five years in a row by Niche .com!
● We were thrilled to be the first school district to be honored with a 2025 Wisconsin State Journal Top Workplaces Award . The honor recognizes employers who acknowledge accomplishment; provide work-life balance; and create a supportive, transparent and missiondriven work environment .
● We offer a free Employee Wellness Clinic, located on the West Middleton Elementary School campus, for staff, retirees, and their families who carry our health insurance
MCPASD’s recognition as a 2025 Wisconsin State Journal Top Workplace came directly from employee feedback about factors such as pay, benefits, and work-life balance . We are proud to offer one of the most competitive benefits packages in Wisconsin! Highlights include:
● Health, dental, and vision insurance
● Pet insurance
● Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
● Long-term and short-term disability coverage
● Worker’s compensation
● Legal services and identity theft protection
● Retirement savings options: Wisconsin Retirement System and a 403(b) account
● Generous vacation and general leave options
● Student loan solutions
● Health: Dean Health Plan
● Dental: Delta Dental
● Vision: Delta Vision
● Employee Health Clinic: Free for employees enrolled in the District’s health insurance
SCAN the QR code to learn more about MCPASD’s insurance options and pricing
Starting a new job with MCPASD is an exciting time that that includes establishing your benefits plan! Our talented benefits specialists—Chris Acker and Navid Kempa—are here to help you through the process
Both Chris and Navid can answer any questions you may have, but they each have experience with specific employee groups
Chris Acker
608-829-9027
cacker1@mcpasd k12 wi us
Focus Areas: Certified staff and supervisory staff
Navid Kempa
608-829-9044
nkempa@mcpasd k12 wi us
Focus Areas: Support staff and bilingual staff
We are proud to offer the MCPASD Employee Health Clinic! Located on the west end of the West Middleton Elementary School campus, our clinic is open Monday through Friday throughout the year District employees, retirees, and their family members who have MCPASD health insurance can use the clinic at no cost, or a lower cost compared to a traditional clinic . Our clinic offers services such as:
● Wellness and sports physicals
● Immunizations
● Urgent care
● Disease management
● Healthy lifestyle education
MCPASD is also committed to helping you care for your furry friends! Our District offers pet insurance through PetPartners, underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company Dogs and cats as young as eight weeks old are eligible for enrollment This means pet parents in our District won’t have to make a difficult decision about their pet’s health for financial reasons
When my dog was attacked by another dog, it was an incredibly difficult situation to navigate Thankfully, having pet insurance gave me peace of mind I was able to get her the surgeries she needed without stressing about the cost I received my reimbursement within a few days through direct deposit, which made all the difference during a tough time
Shannon Valladolid, MCPASD Director of Information and Public Relations
MCPASD has consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in Wisconsin
Our Office of Employee Services is dedicated to ensuring our District remains an exceptional place to work We want talented individuals to join our team of teachers, administrators, support staff, substitutes, and more!
SCAN the QR code to view MCPASD’s job openings and apply today
The MCPASD Whole Being Team plays a vital role in supporting the overall wellness of our employees Our District coordinates multiple resources to help improve physical, mental, emotional, and financial health, including:
● Discounts to local fitness centers
● Yoga practices and walking groups
● Nutritious staff lunch options
● Wellness challenges and learning sessions
● Social offerings like the Amazing Race and Color Run/Walk
An important part of employee wellness is work-life balance We encourage our employees to use their PTO, enjoy their time outside of work, and reach out for help when they need it! We offer opportunities like our Work-Life Balance Workshop to help employees find strategies that work best for them .
Our employees maintain a healthy work-life balance!
I make sure that I leave work on time and leave work at work I don’t take my laptop home with me I am also encouraged to use my vacation time by my supervisors The District puts events out there for us to support us in a healthy lifestyle for work-life balance
— Julie Remily, Administrative Assistant, MCPASD Student Services
MCPASD supports me maintaining a healthy work-life balance by encouraging walks around the block It is also helpful to book time on the walking pad, and the delicious healthy salads we can have delivered from Food Service are a timesaver I’m also grateful to have the opportunity to join a yoga class
— Alicia Armstrong, Administrative Assistant, MCPASD Business & Employee Services
I make sure not to check my phone for emails or Google Chats after work hours I do some work at home, but only on my laptop and only when I designate the time to do so I also love the District’s Wellness Program, the Employee Clinic, the free screening, the yoga classes, etc It all shows they truly care about our health and well-being
— Gerilynn Rohrer, Beyond 18 Coordinator, Cardinal Academy
We set our employees up for success throughout all stages of their career—from the beginning all the way to retirement . MCPASD participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), which offers retirement benefits based on a defined contribution plan or a defined benefit plan The Employee Trust Funds (ETF) board sets contribution rates, which change from year to year and are a percentage of an employee’s annual salary All District employees are enrolled in the Core Trust Fund as a default They may choose to deposit up to 50% of their contributions into the Variable Trust Fund, an all-stocks fund
District employees can also establish a 403(b) plan Similar to a 401(k) plan, a 403(b) plan allows employees to defer a portion of their salary into individual accounts MCPASD does not contribute to 403(b) plans, which are offered through our third-party administrator, OMNI .
Other highlights of MCPASD’s retirement plans include:
● Coverage options under the District’s retiree health insurance plans
● Use of the Employee Health Clinic for retirees with District health insurance
● Teacher’s Retirement Benefit (renewed through June 30, 2028)
Retired MCPASD Educator
“I retired in 2017, and I was able to take advantage of the $30,000 given out to retirees over a three-year period
It was invested into a Roth IRA which has been earning some nice interest over the past eight years I also value all of the staff relationships that I developed over the years with fellow teachers, paraeducators, and administrators–many of whom I still call friends ”
Retiree Spotlight: Perry Hibner
Retired MCPASD Administrator
“Retirement from MCPASD has given me time to reflect on just how thoughtful and supportive the District’s post-retirement benefits truly are One of the most meaningful benefits has been the Health Savings Account Even though I haven’t needed to use the funds yet, I’m incredibly thankful they’re there Knowing I have that cushion to help cover health premiums or unexpected medical expenses gives me real peace of mind ”
SCAN the QR code to learn more about MCPASD’s retirement plans
MCPASD has a talented team of library media specialists (LMS) who collaborate on the District-wide library plan to support classroom learning and student success across all grade levels Beyond book instruction, they teach literacy skills and support building-wide technology resources, all while providing a safe and calm space for students to be themselves
Several schools have student volunteers who provide input on library programs and spaces Students in the Library Helpers Club at Glacier Creek Middle School even described their LMS as the “holder of all wisdom” for the library!
School social workers don’t just support learning—they also support the health, safety, and well-being of students and our community MCPASD’s social workers serve as advocates for students who are facing emotional, social, or familial challenges that may hinder their learning Their various roles include providing individual and group support to students, connecting families with community resources, and partnering with staff to improve school systems so that every student can succeed
Makos Library Media Specialist, Glacier Creek Middle School
“I love working with the students They truly love being in our library Our library is rarely silent because we encourage the students to talk, collaborate, and learn from each other ”
Chris Mand MCPASD Director of Student Services
“School social workers are integral to our mission of fostering academic success and well-rounded, resilient students . In essence, they are bridges between the classroom, home, and community—helping students thrive ”
MCPASD’s bilingual resource teachers (BRTs) actively collaborate with students, staff, and families to provide inclusive instruction that supports our multilingual learners on their academic journeys and helps them form positive identities as multilingual people BRTs often collaborate with other teachers on instructional strategies, teach English classes for newly arrived students, and help multilingual learners and their families navigate our educational system BRTs share why they love their roles:
Middleton High School
“As a BRT, you are still involved in planning and content decisions, but your focus and responsibility is on envisioning how to deliver that content to your multilingual students By knowing your students well, you can tailor instruction to their level of English and personal interests, and watch them grow and flourish I have learned so much from my conversations with students and families about other ways of living in this world ”
Sauk Trail Elementary School
“As a BRT, you get the opportunity to spend parts of your day in a variety of grade levels It gives you the opportunity to build relationships with many different students, and you get to have a unique perspective of curriculum scope and sequence throughout your building I have absolutely loved my opportunities to work with different staff and students, and have consistent variety in my day ”
Alex
Middleton High School
“This role continuously challenges me to grow, not only as an educator but as a person Each day brings new insights, and I consistently learn from the diverse perspectives and experiences my students share ”
Welcome to Middleton, where you’ll find that it’s the “middle things” that make our city special With Pheasant Branch Conservancy to the north, Pleasant View Golf Course to the west, Lake Mendota to the east, and our southwestern border shared with Madison, the city of Middleton has something to offer every visitor
View businesses and resources highlighted by the Middleton Chamber of Commerce
Middleton Chamber of Commerce
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MIDDLETON AREA
Visit Middleton
Capital Brewery
Hubbard Avenue Diner
Villa Dolce
Vitruvius Coffee and Tea
Cayuga Court Shopping
Greenway Station Retail
Little Pop Color Shop
The Regal Find
Keva Sports Center
National Mustard Museum
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Stone Horse Green
Farmers Market: May–-October
Good Neighbor Festival/Parade: August
National Mustard Day: First Saturday in August
This small town is packed with charm! Whether it’s a daily walk in the park with your family, enjoying a cup of coffee or a delicious meal, or checking out fun seasonal events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Cross Plains, residents and visitors alike
View businesses and resources highlighted by the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce
Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CROSS PLAINS AREA
Visit Cross Plains
DINING
Crossroads Coffeehouse
The Hilltop
PJ’s Pizza
Remington’s Tavern
SHOPPING
MadTown Hobby
Millie’s Vintage and Thrift Emporium
Sunny Seconds Thrift Store
RECREATION
Baer Park
Ice Age Trail
Enchanted Valley Acres
Village Pool
EVENTS
Arbor Day Tree Hunt: April–May
Candle Light Hike: December
Trout Days: May
Whether you are checking items off your grocery list, picking up household essentials, or having a fun shopping day, our community has you covered! The businesses listed below are just a few recommendations for any shopping needs in Middleton, Cross Plains, and Madison
Aldi
8222 Watts Road, Madison
Metro Market
6800 Century Ave , Middleton
261 Junction Road, Madison
Metcalfe’s Market
7455 Mineral Point Road, Madison
726 N Midvale Blvd , Madison Piggly Wiggly
28 Glaciers Edge Square, Cross Plains
Whole Foods
4710 Madison Yards Way, Madison
Willy Street Co-op – West
6825 University Ave , Middleton Woodman’s
725 S Gammon Road, Madison
Costco
2150 Deming Way, Middleton Greenway Station
1650 Deming Way, Middleton
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale Blvd , Madison
Target
201 Junction Road, Madison
750 Hilldale Way, Madison
Walmart
7202 Watts Road, Madison
West Towne Mall
66 W Towne Mall, Madison
Our community offers small-town charm and big-city feel! Check out some of these activities and attractions when you’re looking for a nice day in nature, a theatrical performance, fun family outings, and more!
Chazen Museum of Art
750 University Ave , Madison
Dane County Farmers Market
2 E Main St (Capitol Square), Madison
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall Ave , Madison
Lakeview Park
6300 Mendota Ave , Middleton
Madison Children’s Museum
100 N Hamilton St , Madison
Memorial Union
800 Langdon St , Madison
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave , Madison
The Orpheum Theater
216 State St , Madison
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St , Madison
Tyrol Basin Ski Hill
3487 Bohn Road, Mount Horeb
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
7309 W Towne Way, Madison
Vitense Golfland
5501 Schroeder Road, Madison
Finding your perfect home is no easy task, but knowing MCPASD’s proximity to neighboring communities can be a big help! Listed below are a few towns and cities near the Middleton–Cross Plains Area School District that can help you expand your search All distances are measured from the District Services Center, located at 7106 South Avenue in Middleton
Deerfield
33 Minutes
26 2 Miles Via US-12 E
DeForest
30 Minutes
18 .6 Miles Via Co Hwy M and Co Hwy I
Fitchburg 21 Minutes 11 Miles Via US-12 E/US-14 E
Madison (Downtown) 19 Minutes 6 4 Miles Via University Ave
McFarland 24 Minutes 16 .3 Miles Via US-12 E
Monona 22 Minutes 14 Miles Via US-12 E
Mount Horeb
25 Minutes
17 1 Miles Via US-14 W and Co Hwy P
Pine Bluff 16 Minutes
10 6 Miles Via US-14 W
Stoughton 34 Minutes
25 2 Miles Via US-14 E
Sun Prairie 34 Minutes
28 4 Miles Via US-12 E
Verona 19 Minutes 8 7 Miles Via S Pleasant View Road
Waunakee 16 Minutes
8 6 Miles Via Co Hwy Q
Our District partners with several community daycare centers and 4K sites that utilize the MCPASD curriculum
The MCPASD Early Learning Center houses our Early Childhood (Special Education) program and our 4K program
MCPASD Early Learning Center
2429 Clark St ., Middleton 608-829-9067
jball@mcpasd k12 wi us
Academy for Little Learners 9649 Silicon Prairie Pkwy , Verona 608-826-5437 admin@academyforlittlelearners com
Clubhouse for Kids
3150 Deming Way, Middleton 608-824-2090 cfk becky ganser@gmail com
Little Red Preschool – Cross Plains
2427 Church St , Cross Plains (in St Martin’s Lutheran Church) 608-886-2841 cplittlered@gmail com
Little Red Preschool – Middleton 7739 Terrace Ave , Middleton 608-831-0033 (Ext 1) lrpsmidd@gmail com
Middleton Baby and Child Care (Spanish-supported program) 5219 Century Ave , Middleton 608-333-1503
middletonbabyandchildcare@gmail com
Middleton Preschool 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison 608-836-7554 middletonpskids@gmail com
Orchard Ridge Nursery School 1025 McKenna Blvd , Madison 608-274-8407 director@orns org
Pooh Bear Childcare and Preschool 1340 Deming Way, Middleton 608-831-2327 poohbearchildcaremiddleton@gmail com
We are thrilled to help all students in our District embark on our Future-Preparedness Framework: A Cardinal’s Journey to equip them with the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for future success! A dedicated team of stakeholders—including students, staff, educators, parents, Board members, community members, and District leaders—spent months researching and developing this framework Grounded by the Cardinal Mindset and Cardinal Foundations, it provides a clear roadmap of outcomes students should achieve by graduation so that they are prepared to tackle the world’s challenges head-on
All MCPASD employees play essential roles in helping students follow A Cardinal’s Journey This includes educators supporting academic curiosity; athletic coaches and club advisors encouraging teamwork; social workers advocating for social-emotional learning; and District leaders ensuring a safe,
and
learning environment for all students
Journey.
Welcome to the Middleton–Cross Plains Area School District! We are honored that you have chosen our District for your career and your home
Careers in education are incredibly rewarding no matter what job title you hold Working with students in the classroom, serving them meals, driving them to and from school, and carefully crafting their educational framework are just some of the fulfilling ways our employees contribute to a child’s journey
We are also proud of our recent recognition as a 2025 Wisconsin State Journal Top Workplace This award would not be possible without the dedication of our amazing employees It also reflects our commitment to creating an engaging work environment, empowering our employees, and helping them evolve
We are excited for you to join our team and make a positive impact on our District!
With gratitude,
The Middleton–Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education
The Middleton–Cross Plains Area School District has nine members on the Board of Education, each representing a specific geographic area within the District Our Board members serve three-year terms, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified Community members can email all Board members simultaneously at board@mcpasd k12 wi us
All Board meetings are open to the public The Board meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p m at the District Services Center (7106 South Avenue) Exceptions include holidays, breaks, and special meetings If the meeting’s time or location is changed, the details will be listed on the Board Meeting posting on the District website
Bob Hesselbein
Catherine Kells
Jim Coursey
Marni Ginsberg Clerk - Area IV marniashag@mcpasd k12 wi
Bartlett Durand
Emily Evans
Board Member - Area I emilye@mcpasd k12 wi
Katie
Bob Green
Tabitha Hansen
Board Member - Area III tabithah@mcpasd k12
4K / EARLY LEARNING CENTER 2429 Clark Street, Middleton 608-829-9067
Principal Katie Kavanaugh kkavanaugh@mcpasd k12 wi us
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ELM LAWN ELEMENTARY 6701 Woodgate Road, Middleton 608-829-9070
Principal Lisa Rust lrust@mcpasd k12 wi us
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY 3620 High Road, Middleton 608-829-9130
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Park
Principal Sylla Zarov szarov@mcpasd k12 wi us
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PARK ELEMENTARY 1209 Park Street, Cross Plains 608-829-9250
Principal Brett Humphrey bhumphrey1@mcpasd k12 wi us
608-829-9420
Principal Carmen Klassy cklassy@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Associate Principal Mary Summers Kern msummerskern@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
KROMREY MIDDLE SCHOOL
7009 Donna Drive, Middleton 608-829-9595
Principal Dom Ricks dricks@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Associate Principals
Eric Engel eengel@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Joanna Cree jcree1@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
CLARK STREET COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND 9-12 INNOVATION AT MHS 608-829-9640
MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL
2100 Bristol Street, Middleton 608-829-9660
Principal Bobbie Reinhart rreinhart@mcpasd k12 wi us
Associate Principals Barry Holloway bholloway@mcpasd k12 wi us
Elizabeth Merrick emerrick@mcpasd k12 wi us
Bill Richardson wrichardson@mcpasd k12 wi us
Ray Rosing rrosing@mcpasd k12 wi us
Athletic Director Brad Crandell bcrandell@mcpasd k12 wi us
Assistant Athletic Director Tyree Gamble tgamble@mcpasd k12 wi us
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
POPE FARM ELEMENTARY 816 Schewe Road, Middleton 608-826-7700
Principal Jessica Taylor jtaylor@mcpasd k12 wi us
SaukTrail
SAUK TRAIL ELEMENTARY 2205 Branch Street, Middleton 608-829-9190
Principal Chris Dahlk cdahlk@mcpasd k12 wi us
Principal Nicole Victor nvictor@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
CARDINAL ACADEMY 2429 Clark Street, Middleton 608-829-9821
Beyond 18 Coordinator Gerilynn Rohrer grohrer@mcpasd k12 wi us
Director of Employee Services
Dr Barb Buffington | bbuffington@mcpasd k12 wi us
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SUNSET RIDGE ELEMENTARY 8686 Airport Road, Middleton 608-829-9300
Principal Brett Wilfrid bwilfrid@mcpasd k12 wi us
West Middleton ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WEST MIDDLETON ELEMENTARY 7627 West Mineral Point Road, Verona 608-829-9360
Principal Mandy Harvey aharvey@mcpasd k12 wi us
Administrative Assistant to Business & Employee Services
Alicia Armstrong | aarmstrong1@mcpasd k12 wi us
Talent Recruitment & Retention Coordinator
Sherry Smith | ssmith@mcpasd k12 wi us
Benefits Specialists | benefitsmailbox@mcpasd .k12 .wi .us
Chris Acker, Navid Kempa
Personnel Specialists | employeeservicesmailbox@mcpasd k12 wi us
Diane Austin, Candace Montag, Ciji Colegial
Payroll Specialists | payrollmailbox@mcpasd .k12 .wi us
Andrew Schremp, Fabian Velasco Montoya
Wellness Coordinator
Kalise Horst | shorst@mcpasd k12 wi us