Students lead redesign of Middleton‑Cross Plains Area School District logo

An administrator for the Middleton‑Cross Plains Area School District presented a student‑led refresh of the district logo during a board meeting, saying the change grew out of a recent review of the district’s mission and vision. Staff and four high‑school students involved in the district’s CAPS program described a mark centered on a shooting‑star motif and a hexagon representing the district’s three pillars.

The administrator said the district is in "a period of transition, evolution" and that updated mission and vision statements prompted the branding review. "Our new mission statement is we know our students' stories and build upon their strengths to inspire them locally so they are prepared globally," the administrator said, and added the new vision is "engage, empower, and evolve."

A staff member from the communications team said the logo refresh was intentionally student led and that the students wanted to strengthen the existing design rather than replace it. "The star represents our students and also forms an arrow symbolizing growth, direction, and momentum," the staff member said, describing how the star was reimagined as a shooting star or North Star to convey goals and forward movement.

Students who participated in the project spoke about their goals for the mark. One student said, "I hope that when people see that, wherever they see it, they get that message from it, and they feel more confident about maybe bringing a new student into the district." Another student described being "grateful to be involved" and said including student voice in a core district identity element felt impactful.

Staff explained that the hexagon in the design preserves a representation of three pillars, chosen to convey that the district is progressive, strong, formal and grounded. The administrator told the board members’ initial reaction was that the mark felt "powerful," "meaningful," and "future focused."

Speakers noted there can be different perspectives among staff, parents and students but emphasized the importance of centering student experience in a symbol meant to represent the whole district. The communications work included partnership with the Berry School of Communications, which staff cited as supporting the student team.

Four high‑school students from the CAPS program were explicitly identified as participants in the project. No formal vote or adoption was recorded in the transcript; the board received the presentation and discussion focused on the logo’s symbolism and how it might represent the district to families and staff.