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Sioux Falls’ 'Connections' summer program enrolls roughly 25% of incoming freshmen, district says
Summary
District staff described 'Connections,' a 10-day summer transition program for incoming freshmen at all four high schools. The program enrolled about 462 students this summer, costs $100 per family with scholarships available, and district staff said it promotes leadership, familiarity with schedules and peer mentoring.
The Sioux Falls School District on June 9 highlighted its Connections summer program, a 10‑day transition program offered at all four district high schools designed to prepare incoming freshmen for high-school routines, schedules and social expectations.
Jefferson High School’s Connections director, Dr. Todd Novak, told the board the program began in the late 1990s as a remedial offering and was revised around 2008–09 into a shorter, transitional program that pairs freshmen with upper‑class mentors. “We felt that we could communicate our culture in 10 days with the help of upperclassmen who served as mentors of our freshmen,” Novak said.
Program details presented to the board: Novak said 462 students are enrolled in Connections this summer — about 25% of the Class of 2029. Families pay $100 to enroll; scholarships are available for families who apply. The program allows students to walk their schedules, “test drive” behaviors in the new environment, and builds leadership pathways: Novak reported that more than half of surveyed participants said they would like to lead Connections after their freshman year.
Novak said district Connections teachers have created a common registration form so middle-school staff across the district can register students in one place and transfer students and funds between buildings as needed. He also said the program’s teachers host experiential activities such as scavenger hunts and socially focused events adapted from COVID-era distancing strategies.
Novak added that Jeff erson will host a two‑day national conference later this month to share transition practices with educators from other states; he said roughly 36 educators are expected to attend from states and communities including Kentucky, South Carolina, West Fargo (ND), Sisseton and Junction City (KS).
Board members who spoke praised the program as a way to reduce first‑day intimidation and help students acclimate to larger high‑school settings. The board thanked Novak and district staff for the program’s work.
