EDUCATION
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t’s tough for a school district to keep pace with all the changes in the business world, in academia and in technology. But the Clarkston Community School district is ready for the challenge, providing a well-rounded education to more than 7,000 students and preparing students for future careers that might not even exist right now. For example, the district recently introduced its visionary strategic plan “Clarkston 2025,” a six-year roadmap of measurable objectives, focusing on four pillars of excellence: • Whole person development • Foundational & academic skills • Student-focused learning • Future pathways “Our vision for this district is to continue leading the way in academic excellence with strong curriculum programming you can’t get anywhere else, and guide our school district forward with a steady focus on doing what’s best for kids,” said Shawn Ryan, who has been superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools since 2018. Ryan started his career with the district in 1996. The district has seven elementary schools for kindergarten through fifth grade, one middle school serving grades 6-7, a junior high for grades 8-9, and Clarkston High School, which includes students in grades 10-12. In addition, there is an Early Childhood Center serving children ages 3-5, and an alternative high school/community education facility. The district has made it a priority to keep its campuses upto-date, assisted by a $76 million bond issue that was approved
by voters in 2016 for safety and technology upgrades. Academic success is apparent throughout the district, as six of the schools have earned Michigan Exemplary Blue Ribbon honors. Other notable district achievements include: • A class size average of 21 students in K-5 (among the lowest in the county), which provides an ideal learning environment. • 16 Advanced Placement classes at the high school, with about 380 taking AP tests and 77% scoring a “3” or higher. Of them, 21 were named AP Scholars. • 3 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists for 2020. • 31 International Baccalaureate Diplomas awarded in 2019. • A graduation rate of 96.3% for the Class of 2019, with students enrolling at 88 colleges and universities across the country. • 30 varsity high school sports and recognition as one of the 10 best school districts for athletes in America (according to Niche.com). • 39 campus clubs offered at CHS. Also, the district has forged notable partnerships with higher education institutions and the business community, resulting in two on-campus health centers in cooperation with Clarkston Medical Group and 12 University of MichiganFlint courses offered on-site through the Dual Enrollment
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