EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Lake County communities, agencies and school districts experienced in 2024 and what is facing them in 2025. The Willoughby-Eastlake School District launched its 2024-2026 Shared Vision this year, as well as their Portrait of a Graduate, intending to anchor their work moving forward as the district prioritizes creating customized learning experiences for all students in the district’s seven communities. Central to the district’s Shared Vision is the commitment to creating a school experience that prepares students for their future, said Superintendent Patrick Ward. Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools’ new teaming model connects students to their schools, educators “Our four core promises are to create engaging experiences for all students by how we design instruction; prioritize relationships to ensure that every child is connected to an adult; inspire and nurture extraordinary growth, including student achievement and personal growth; and invest in the future through a culture of continuous improvement, future readiness and innovation,” he said. The district has also implemented several changes and developed systems across all campuses during the past year, which have positively impacted the student experience, Ward said. “Professional learning communities in each of our buildings ensures that our staff and administrators have time to work together for thoughtful planning to address instructional practices and the overall experiences of our students and their families,” he said. 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In the district’s middle schools, the following was implemented this year: • The teaming model so each student is connected to the school and supported in their learning. • Increased student agency in order to allow students to learn through activities that are meaningful and relevant, and capitalize on their interests. • Expanding programming through flex time for exploring interests, interdisciplinary curriculum and career pathways. In the district’s high schools, the following was implemented: • A reimagined high school academic pathways so all students have access to rigorous coursework. • Immersive laboratory experiences and flex learning courses to provide students a structure for customized learning experiences tailored to their interests and needs as a learner while also learning how to manage their time and goal setting. • New and improved capstones and career technical education pathways. “All of our work is centered around Willoughby-Eastlake graduates being communicators, collaborators, creators, critical thinkers and being empathetic and resilient. We remain committed to increasing parent involvement as partners in education through our student and parent advisory councils.” — Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Superintendent Patrick Ward “Workforce development is a priority for the district as we seek ways to expand opportunities to introduce students to diverse career pathways beyond the traditional Career Technical Education model,” Ward said. “This year we piloted the CareerPath+ Program, which aims to connect education with real-world employment by building strong partnerships with local businesses and industries.” A challenge for any school district remains navigating the landscape of legislative changes and mandates as they are filtered down to the local school district level, the superintendent said. “It’s imperative that any governmental changes and legislation support schools and their efforts to increase opportunities for children rather than create barriers that can be detrimental to future progress of public education,” he said. Another challenge the district is tackling is the effects of artificial intelligence in education. “We have an AI Task Force and we are continuing to explore resources and get feedback directly from students and staff about how AI can be used responsibly to enhance their educational experiences,” Ward said. “We are excited about the potential that AI can have in our work and educational programs, but we also have to be cognizant of the challenges that come with increased technology and its responsible use,” he added. “However, those challenges will not prevent us from moving forward to support our students and their families who deserve a world-class education.” The district also is continuing to build upon partnerships with local businesses and community groups as they bring a wealth of talent and resources to support the work of educating the future workforce, Ward said. “The community and civic support for the schools is at an all-time high, and these partnerships are critical as we implement our vision,” he said. “We have four steering committees centered around our four priorities, which have actively engaged parents, students, staff, community members and civic leaders in guiding our work.” In 2025, the district will continue to focus on their Portrait of a Graduate and the six competencies that will ensure their success. “All of our work is centered around Willoughby-Eastlake graduates being communicators, collaborators, creators, critical thinkers and being empathetic and resilient,” Ward said. “We remain committed to increasing parent involvement as partners in education through our student and parent advisory councils.” Workforce development will remain a priority from kindergarten to senior year as students are exposed to careers to ensure that they have options and choices throughout their  education in Willoughby-Eastlake and wherever their journey takes them after graduation, Ward said. “We have increased our focus on sharing the story of the district through a more prominent social media presence, improved publications, increased positive media coverage and engaging community events,” he said. “In 2025, we plan to launch a new website in order to not only share the story of the district, but to make it easier for families and potential families to access information needed to support their children’s education.” Ward said the district has also been fortunate to build three new campuses in several years, but they are working at developing a facilities plan to maintain them, as well as plan for needed upgrades and improvements, and to maintain and enhance their safety and security measures. Continuing to build collaborative capacity will remain a top priority for the school system in 2025. “We will continue to engage in conversations and partnerships in order to provide an exceptional school experience designed to meet the needs of every student that walks through our doors,” Ward said. “I am committed to engaging with our community, having open lines of communication and working together to support our shared vision. We are working hard to build trust with our community and restore a sense of pride in our schools."