Fond du Lac School District recognized for academic recovery and growth after Covid

The Fond du Lac School District has been recognized for its impressive academic recovery and growth in a recent report by the Education Recovery Scorecard, a national project comparing learning loss and recovery across the country since 2022. The district has not only returned to pre-pandemic levels in math, but it has actually exceeded them. In reading, Fond du Lac has shown more growth than any other district in the state. 

At a time when many schools are still struggling to recover from pandemic-related academic setbacks, Fond du Lac is not just recovering, it is setting the standard for growth. 

Key achievements: 

• Fastest Math Improvement – From 2022 to 2024, Fond du Lac showed the greatest improvement in math scores out of the 20 largest school districts in the state, surpassing pre-pandemic math levels. The district also had one of the highest positive changes in math achievement in the entire state of Wisconsin. 
• Top Reading Growth – Fond du Lac experienced the highest positive change in reading growth in all Wisconsin school districts from 2022 to 2024. 

“There have been a lot of conversations in our district recently, and while opinions may differ, one thing is very clear: our students are growing and achieving more than ever before,” says Superintendent Jeffrey Fleig. “The decisions we have made in the past four years—based on principle, purpose, and policy rather than pain, pressure, or politics—have resulted in more growth than any other district in our state. This success is proof that when we invest in our schools, we invest in our students. This is what truly matters.”

Since 2021, Fond du Lac has focused on intentional investments to ensure student success and make this growth a reality. These efforts have included using pandemic relief funds to improve the curriculum and provide professional development opportunities for educators through programs like InitiativeOne and the UVA Partnership for Leaders and Education. Additionally, before- and after-school programs have been offered through partnerships with the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club as a comprehensive approach to extending education outside of the school day. Other investments involve upgrading classroom libraries, implementing college readiness programs like AVID, and more. 

“Beyond the numbers, this represents incredible opportunities for our students—more doors opening for college, careers, and bright futures,” says Fond du Lac School District Board President Todd Schreiter. “The Board is dedicated to continuing this momentum. The train is on the tracks, and we are moving forward.”

Over the past four years, Fond du Lac has experienced dramatic and sustained positive growth, with remarkable improvements in academic performance and district culture. This transformation is driven by the district’s guiding mission of Changing Outcomes—a commitment to make a lasting impact on each and every student and their life trajectory.

“We are dedicated to changing the future for each and every student in Fond du Lac,” Superintendent Fleig says. “Our work is far from over, but these results show we are on the right path. Everything we do is in the best interest of our students’ education and their future.”