Appleton School Board initiates boundary discussions for new Sandy Slope Elementary school

The Appleton Area School District (AASD) is gearing up for significant changes as it prepares to open its seventeenth elementary school, Sandy Slope, in the fall of 2025. During the recent board meeting on March 28, 2025, district officials initiated discussions on the critical topic of school attendance boundaries, a key factor in managing the district's growth and ensuring equitable access to education.

Superintendent Hart provided a comprehensive overview of the district's enrollment challenges, noting that many of the existing elementary schools are currently over capacity. A capacity study revealed that 11 out of 16 elementary schools were exceeding their limits, prompting the need for a new school to accommodate the growing student population. The Sandy Slope school is expected to have a capacity of 600 students, which will help alleviate some of the pressure on nearby schools like Huntley and Ferber.

The board's discussions focused on establishing criteria for determining school attendance boundaries. Key considerations include proximity to schools, current enrollment numbers, and future growth potential in the area, particularly with new housing developments on the horizon. The Thrivent property, which could bring in 500 to 1,000 new housing units, was highlighted as a significant factor that could impact enrollment projections.

Board members expressed concerns about maintaining neighborhood integrity and ensuring that students have safe routes to school. The importance of balancing educational opportunities across different socioeconomic backgrounds was also raised, with members emphasizing the need to prevent disparities in educational access as new developments occur.

As the district moves forward, the board will continue to solicit feedback from community members and stakeholders to refine the criteria for school boundaries. The next steps will involve gathering additional input and finalizing recommendations for approval, ensuring that the decisions made will benefit all students in the district.

The AASD is committed to addressing the challenges posed by rapid growth while fostering an inclusive educational environment. The upcoming changes at Sandy Slope and the discussions surrounding attendance boundaries are crucial steps in shaping the future of education in Appleton.