The Tea Area School District was established in July 2003. A community of volunteers built the District with their own two hands and hearts. The community’s army of volunteers cleaned and furnished existing structures while building modular classrooms in an open lot Nearly twenty years later, Tea Area is one of the fastestgrowing school districts in the state and region, with average growth greater than five percent. In May 2004, Tea Area’s graduating class was 11 students In 2012, the graduating class was 65 students. In 2025, we will graduate 170 students; our current freshman class is 200. Tea Area School District is located in Lincoln and Minnehaha counties just southwest of Sioux Falls.
We are proud to be the Tea Area Titans as our district boundaries stretch from southwest Sioux Falls through the City of Tea and south of the City of Tea.
We serve 2546 students grounded in our mission “To educate and empower each student for success in a global society. ” We are committed to being a model continuous improvement school measuring our growth in our school board’s strategic plan’s pillars: Student Achievement, Community, Engaged Titans, and Finance and Growth Management Our faculty and staff identified our Standards of Excellence: Teamwork, Communication, Accountability, and Innovation. As a team, we are committed to celebrating and recognizing these standards while holding each other accountable.
Pride runs deep in our schools, state, and country, not only with our faculty and staff but also with our students. We recognize the importance of our partnership with families and the community as we build trust with each other and care for tomorrow’s leaders. Together, we educate and empower.
Tea Area is a great place to raise your family. We are a Titan community, and we have great opportunities in fine arts, activities, and, most importantly, academics.
Together we are writing our legacy. Thank you for being a Titan!
Jenn
Dr. Jennifer Nebelsick Lowery Superintendent of Tea Area School District
Titan Demographics
Tea Area Schools
* Frontier Elementary (2014)(2019)
* Legacy Elementary (2003)(2014)(2022)
* Venture Elementary (2019)
* Middle School (2003)(2010)
* High School (2003)(2005)(2007)(2024)
* New Elementary Land Purchased (2021)
Enrollment
Estimated 2546 students 2024-2025 school year
Stats:
*Average Growth: 5% annual growth
*53% of growth is due to incoming Kindergarten class
*Kindergarten, 2nd grade, & sixth grade are impact years.
*Projected growth is 420-780 students in the next 5 years
*Fall 2024- 2025- increase approx. 125 students
English Language Learners Growth 2015-2024
District Percent Growth vs. Special Education Growth SpEd District
Tea Area Graduates from 2004-Current
Average Years of Teaching Experience Last 10 years:
* 78 elementary classrooms
* 1015 more students
* Doubling the Size of the High School
* (80,000 square feet addition)
* Community has approved over $60 million in General Obligation Bonds
The Tea Area School District began a comprehensive shift in 2019. To advance the strategic plan, the district adopted Improvement Science principles. The updated strategic plan was created by multiple stakeholders (community members, business and parent groups, faculty and staff, board members, and administrators) engaging in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. The qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed, resulting in the board-approved strategic plan pillars, defined focus areas, and Standards of Excellence (values).
A team of 18 employees and two board members spearheaded the development of Tea Area’s Standards of Excellence. Their peers identified the Standards of Excellence committee members as outstanding individuals who exemplify what we want to be as Titans. This group gathered qualitative feedback from every department in the district on what mattered to our employees. We asked our people to share what we look and act like when we are best. The School Board adopted the Standards of Excellence after multiple iterations and feedback cycles. We have consistently celebrated our employees based on these standards on a weekly basis since their adoption
Adopting board policy, ADA Continuous School Improvement, formalized the board's commitment to how we operate at Tea Area. This policy clearly articulates the board's vision and expectations for the culture at Tea Area. From pillars to a living plan, the employees, led by their administrator or director, create, adapt, and operationalize the work through their strategic targets. The targets are measured by their scoreboards, which align directly with the Superintendent’s scoreboard. The scoreboard’s scale and resulting rating clearly outline the goals set by the administrative team and approved by the board annually.
Annual reports and processes are hardwired within the system, ensuring Tea Area’s strategic plan is a living process as we pursue excellence and live our mission to Educate and Empower.
Strategic Plan 2026
Standards of Excellence
In 2020, Titan faculty and staff joined the school board to develop our Standards of Excellence outlining and defining our values. We celebrate our people who live out our values and we utilize them as our core guidance for evaluation.
Board Policy
Goals
*Please note hyperlinks supporting annual data analysis.
Key Action and Goals Driving Strategic Targets Measured by Scoreboards and Goals Driving Strategic Targets Measured by Scoreboards
Student Achievement Goal
Key Action: Notes
Culture of Improvement
100% of Classrooms have Purpose/Promise Statements
100% of employees grow on Growth Continuum for implementing improvement science principles with their students
Tea Area’s students have the highest percentage of proficient students in our conference or show growth.
Building Administrators create building goals and action plans in alignment with the District scoreboard. Improvement coaches support building action plans. Professional Development plan for entering Tea Area and sustaining support. Host Regional Network of Improvers at Tea Area.
Implementing Strategic Targets in all buildings, focusing on Instructional PLC and student Goal Setting supported by PDSA Cycles of Improvement.
The Elementary Math Guide is updated annually and is a living document.
Common Assessments
Common Quick Checks with a goal of 4 or higher on quick checks
Data processes hardwired with specific actions based on the elementary data dashboard.
Data tracking on purpose statements and student goal work in the classroom is available through the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Dr. Walder)
Data and growth are available through the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Dr Walder with additional elementary support from Mr. Swatek (Math Focused Administrator)
Math (continued)
Goals
Goal
Tea Area’s students have the highest percentage of proficient students in our conference or show growth.
Key Action:
Math Team book studyMathematical Mindsets
MS/HS Common Assessment
Guide Development
MS/HS Proficiency Data Dashboard transition from pilot to hardwired (Student goal is 80% or higher on unit assessments)
Students’ IEP goals are written to close skill gaps for students with mild to moderate disabilities as they pursue achieving the elementary or middle/high school general education goal.
Student Learning Journals JK-12
Reading Annual Data Review
Tea Area’s students have the highest percentage of proficient students in our conference or show growth.
Implementing Strategic Targets in all buildings, focusing on Instructional PLC and student Goal Setting supported by PDSA Cycles of Improvement. Foundation in SOR (Science of Reading)
A phonics continuum utilizing Vowac is developed and provided for each student from JK-5
JK, K, and 1st grade utilize ESGI Data Dashboard.
Teachers learn and share best practices as identified by common assessments within the curriculum.
Notes
Data and growth are available through the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Dr. Walder) with additional elementary support from Mr. Swatek (Math Focused Administrator)
Data and growth available through Dr Walder (elementary) and Mrs. Herrboldt (MS/HS)
Reading (continued)
Goals
Goal
Tea Area’s students have the highest percentage of proficient students in our conference or show growth.
Key Action:
MS/HS use curriculum Common Assessments supported by Data Dashboard (Student goal is 80% or higher on unit assessments)
Students’ IEP goals are written to close skill gaps for students with mild to moderate disabilities as they pursue achieving the elementary or middle/high school general education goal.
Student Learning Journals JK-12
Special Education Department utilize Reading Resource Guide
Science Data Goal Setting
Tea Area’s students have the highest percentage of proficient students in our conference or show growth.
Implementing Strategic Targets in all buildings, focusing on Instructional PLC and student Goal Setting supported by PDSA Cycles of Improvement.
The Elementary Science Pacing Guide and hardwired training of PTLW.
MS/HS use curriculum Common Assessments supported by Data Dashboard (Student goal is 80% or higher on unit assessments)
Notes
Data and growth are available through the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Dr. Walder).
Data and growth are available through the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Dr. Walder).
Science (continued)
Goals
Goal
Tea Area’s students have the highest percentage of proficient students in our conference or show growth.
Key Action:
Students’ IEP goals are written to close skill gaps for students with mild to moderate disabilities as they pursue achieving the elementary or middle/high school general education goal.
Student Learning Journals JK-12
Notes
Data and growth are available through the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Dr. Walder).
DOE Waivers
Waiver Data Analysis
Tea Area provides opportunities for students to accelerate their learning through high school course credit in 8th grade and course replacement assessments.
Board Adoption and Review of Data for request of waiver from DOE.
Administrative Annual review in March.
Administrative Summary review of Data in Summer.
Data on waivers available from Dr. Lowery.
Employee Experience
Annual Data Review
Goals
Engaged Titans
Goal
Tea Area Employees; Engagement
Experience is in the 80th percentile or higher as measured by an annual independent survey.
Key Action:
Each building or department has a team who leads the roll-out of results and executes the action plan. All Employees engage in scheduled rounds (Connect, Needs for Success, Gratitude Min: New Teacher & New Employees (30, 90, & Spring); 2nd Year Employee (Quarter 1; 2nd Semester); 3rd Year+ Employee (1 per semester)
Parent/ Caregiver Engagement Experience
District Scoreboard
Student Engagement Experience
District Scoreboard
Tea Area
Parent/Caregiver Engagement
Experience is in the 80th percentile or higher as measured by an annual independent survey. MS/HSadjusted goal see their scoreboard
Tea Area Student Engagement
Experience is in the 80th percentile or higher as measured by an annual independent survey
Each building has a team that leads the roll-out of results and executes an action plan.
Notes
Principal or Director accountable for results as indicated on their Scoreboard
Each building has a team that leads the roll-out of results and executes an action plan.
Principal or Director accountable for results as indicated on their Scoreboard.
Principal or Director accountable for results as indicated on their Scoreboard.
Goals
Tea Area Schools are key to workforce development. Students graduating is key to the sustainability of the community
District Scoreboard
Goal
100% Graduation rate
Community
Key Action:
MS and HS principals and the counseling team meet weekly, and they are identified as the student success team.
MS and HS teams create pathways to graduation within career clusters
MS Hire Student Success coach through Title 1 dollars to connect from Frontier (schoolwide) through high school entrance. Elementary teams implement PBIS strategies. Elementary teams focus on data to improve proficiency, as outlined in the above goals
Notes
Tea Area’s enrollment projection is accurate to keep pace with the community’s growth and the needs of our children/ youth.
District Scoreboard
90% or greater enrollment accuracy
Hardwired Growth and Development of Student Projections and annual reports.
Location of Reports:
District Website- Our Story- Growth & Development
Tea Area provides top-of-theline facilities and grounds for all Titans
Enhancing pride and balancing debt through financial planning.
Goals
Finance & Growth Management
Goal
General Fund- see scoreboard scale for goal
Capital Outlay Fund- see scoreboard scale for goal.
Special Education Fund- see scoreboard scale for goal.
Tax Levy Report
Key Action:
Annual update and report to Board- 5 Year General Fund Plan- Goal within scoreboard
Annual update and report to Board- 5-Year Capital Outlay Plan- Goal within scoreboard
Notes
Location of Reports: District Website- Our Story- Growth & Development
Annual update and report to the Board- Special Education- Goal within scoreboard
Annual update and report to the Board- Goal within scoreboard
Overview of District Growth Plan
School Board Vision- 2035
High School (1): 20-year capacity of approximately 1200 to 1400 students
Current High School with Expansion Bond Approved June 2022; Construction Began Spring 2023
Performing Arts Center: 1200 seats; JK-12 Fine Arts Performances; Community Productions (Opening Spring 2025)
Middle School (1): Grade 7-8
Current Middle School Building (Fall 2028)
Intermediate (1): Grades 5-6
Current Legacy Building (Fall 2028)
Elementary (3): Grades JK-4 approximately 1.5 mile diameter service radius
Current Frontier, Venture, New 2028 (Land purchased 2023)
Elementary 2028: Model Venture Elementary School- Capacity 670 bond required.
School Board Vision
Fall2025
TeaAreaHigh School
HighSchool
MiddleSchool
Comingsummer 2025w/JK-12
PerformingArts
Center-capacity 1000
TeaAreaMiddle School 6th-8th capacity700-725
Fall 2028/2029
TeaAreaHigh School capacity1000
Possible2ndfloor completion
Fall2035
TeaAreaHigh School capacity1000 2ndfloorcompleted
TeaAreaMiddle School 7th-8th capacity700-725
TeaAreaMiddle School 6th-8th capacity700-725 capacity700-800
Math Resource Guide - common assessments, similar instructional routines including progress monitoring supports MS & HS Titan Learning Room supports integrated within Resource Programs
Program Profiles (develop a public product, resource and early childhood profiles)
Student Learning Journals
Life Skills & Autism Programs: Continuum of skills & curriculum/resources development
Special Education HUB
Implementing
Leader Rounding (Talks w/Taylor)
SpEd Leadership Team Projects based on District Goals
Reading Resource Guide
Special Education budget management & projections (5-year plan)
Special Education Scoreboard
TASD Specialized Special Education Programs
Early Childhood- Developmental Preschool, Autism Preschool Program
Elementary- Resource, Life Skills, Titan Learning Room, Autism Program
Middle & High School- Resource, Life Skills, Special Education Counselor
s scoreboard.
Special Education
Scoreboard
Student Achievement
Special Education Scoreboard
Engaged Titans
Finance & Growth Management & Overall Score
Frontier Element Target
Exploring
ELA Curriculum Review
ELA Data Dashboard
Preparation to Implement
SD Social Studies Standards
Teacher-Driven
Instructional PLC’s
Developing
District Goal Alignment
Student Achievement
Instructional Excellence
Positive School Culture
Systematic Literacy Instruction/SoR
Mathematical Mindsets Book Study
EL Program Support System
Systems for Math Intervention
Discipline Referral Process
Trauma-Invested Environment
School Social Work
Implementing
Math Data Dashboard
Systematic Literacy
Program/SoR
CSI Strategies (PDSA
Cycles/Student Goal Setting) in classrooms
Math, ELA, SS Committees
Leader Rounding
Instructional PLC’s
Monday Morning Rise & Shine
HERO Recognition
Restructure school counseling schedules
One Book, One School
Positive Attendance Initiative
Frontier’s Strategic Target is measured on Frontier’s scoreboard.