We are excited for the start of the 2026-2027 school year at Jefferson-Morgan School District.
This year, our district theme is, “Be the person they need. Someone did it for us, now it’s our turn.” It reflects our commitment to ensuring every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired by the adults who serve them each day.
As we begin the new school year, Jefferson-Morgan continues to focus on providing a more individualized educational experience for every student. We recognize that no two students have the same goals after graduation, and our work continues to center on meeting students where they are while preparing them for success in college, the workforce, the military, or skilled trades.
One of our primary areas of focus this year is evaluating and expanding our elective offerings to better align with students’ interests and the skills needed for today’s and tomorrow’s careers. By partnering with local businesses, higher education institutions, and industry leaders, we are working to ensure students have meaningful learning experiences that connect the classroom to future opportunities.
We continue to build upon our Personalized Learning Time (PLT) model for students in grades 9 through 12. This dedicated period provides opportunities for individualized academic support, enrichment, intervention, career exploration, and student choice. For our seventh and eighth grade students, we have expanded elective opportunities through a mini-PLT model, allowing students to explore additional areas of interest while beginning to personalize their middle school experience.
Another major focus for the district is strengthening core instruction. We continue to implement our structured literacy initiative in the elementary grades through the CKLA curriculum and other evidence-based literacy practices designed to improve foundational reading skills and long-term student achievement. At the same time, we are evaluating our mathematics curriculum to ensure it aligns with best instructional practices and prepares students with the knowledge and problem-solving skills needed for future success.
Student and staff safety remains a top priority. During the upcoming school year, Jefferson-Morgan will implement a new wearable panic button system for all staff members, further enhancing our emergency response capabilities and strengthening our comprehensive school safety program. This investment reflects our continued commitment to providing a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for every student and employee.
In addition, we remain committed to strengthening instruction through professional learning, expanding student leadership opportunities, and creating a culture where every student is challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Jefferson-Morgan is also proud to be one of only 50 school districts across western Pennsylvania participating in the Future Driven Schools initiative through the Learning Alliance Network. Through this collaborative cohort, district leaders are working alongside other innovative school systems to reimagine teaching and learning, strengthen student centered educational experiences, and prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. This work supports our commitment to ensuring every Jefferson-Morgan student graduates prepared for success, no matter which path they choose after high school.
Jefferson-Morgan continues to build upon the momentum of being recognized as a Great Pennsylvania School in 2025. We are also incredibly proud that fourth grade teacher Maddie Loring was named Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, reflecting the exceptional educators who make a difference in the lives of our students every day.
