MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has launched MMSD: Excellence Together, a new five-year strategic plan that will serve as the district’s roadmap for advancing student achievement, strengthening belonging and expanding opportunities for students through 2031.

“MMSD: Excellence Together reflects a belief that excellence is something we achieve by working together,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “It is our commitment to every student and their success. And it recognizes that our greatest progress will come when our staff, families, students and community partners are working toward a shared vision.”

The plan is grounded in the district’s vision: MMSD will be “a learning community where all students are valued, challenged, supported and inspired to reach their dreams.” Its mission calls on the district to create safe and inclusive schools, deliver high-quality instruction, strengthen positive relationships and partner with families and the community to achieve student self-determination and educational excellence.

Five guiding commitments provide the foundation for the district’s work:

• Lead with Equity: Confront inequities within MMSD systems and take responsibility for creating more just and measurable outcomes.
• Foster Belonging: Create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments where students, staff and families feel valued, connected and supported.
• Deliver Meaningful Learning: Ensure every student experiences challenging, engaging and culturally relevant learning while supporting high-quality teaching and professional growth.
• Improve with Purpose: Continuously evaluate and adapt practices based on evidence of what works, for whom and why.
• Embrace our Collective Impact: Recognize shared responsibility for building a school system in which every action and decision advances equity and excellence.

The plan also establishes three performance objectives that will provide measurable areas of focus through 2031:

• Academic Achievement: Increase overall student academic achievement.
• Belonging: Increase the percentage of students who report feeling that they belong in their school, as measured by the district’s climate survey.
• College Credit/Credentials: Increase the percentage of students who graduate with credits or credentials that provide postsecondary value.

“Our strategic plan will give us a clear direction, prioritizes our work, and aligns our resources and budget so every child in Madison belongs, grows and succeeds,” said Cindy Green, assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “Importantly, it gives us a way to measure our efforts, keep student success at the center of our work and adjust as needed.”

Implementation of MMSD: Excellence Together officially begins today and will take place over the next five years, with the district using the guiding commitments and performance objectives to inform planning, decision-making and continuous improvement across MMSD.

The strategic planning process began in January 2025 and was supported by RTI International, a third-party expert in K-12 strategic planning. Work included input from staff and community members, along with review by a steering committee and focus groups. The district’s approach was designed to establish common goals, reflect community voice and align MMSD’s work around a shared set of core beliefs.

The full MMSD: Excellence Together strategic plan, including the district’s vision, mission, guiding commitments and performance objectives, is available on the MMSD website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that MMSD will be a learning community where all students are valued, challenged, supported and inspired to reach their dreams. With more than 7,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.