🎨 Yesterday, our learners ventured to Milwaukee to explore Black Cat Alley, a vibrant arts destination known for its incredible collection of street art murals.
Learning has no walls when we begin with learners' interests and areas of wonder. Experiences like these spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and connect learning to the world around us.
At Norris, we believe some of the best learning happens beyond the classroom—and yesterday was a perfect example!

🍓 A little rain couldn't stop these learners!
Despite the wet afternoon, our learners headed to Thompson Farm for their scheduled Experiential Learning Opportunity, where they picked fresh strawberries to make homemade jam. Hands-on learning, new experiences, and a little adventure made for a berry sweet day! 🌧️🍓
Way to embrace the weather and make the most of every learning opportunity!

Our Summer Intersession is officially underway! ☀️
Learners are diving into new experiences and exploring areas of interest through hands-on learning opportunities. From fishing and smoothie making to gardening, planting flowers, and growing vegetables, there is no shortage of curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
We are excited to see where their learning journeys take them this summer!

While the library is closed for the summer, our learners have plenty to celebrate. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to and some of the exciting learning experiences that wrapped up our school year.

Learner-Centered Possibility: Connecting Young People to an Ecosystem of Opportunities through Norris Academy Virtual School.

Learning happens far beyond the four walls of a classroom, and the team at Norris School District is bringing that reality to life for learners across southern Wisconsin! The Norris Academy Virtual School is a no-fee public school where learners are empowered to reach goals and competencies in the dimensions of academics, employability, citizenship, and wellness. With the guidance of a Digital Learning Liaison and Learning Design Specialists, young people can receive an education at their own pace and engage with local and global communities in ways that align with their interests, goals, and current circumstances.

Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/LMKEEdRe

Learn more about Norris School District here: https://www.norrisacademywi.org/
Learn more about Education Reimagined here: https://education-reimagined.org/

Learners enjoyed the beautiful weather above the clouds while zipping through the air on our high ropes course zipline. It is always amazing to watch learners overcome their fears, take risks, and challenge themselves—or love the experience so much that they never miss an opportunity to participate.

Experiences like these continue to build confidence, resilience, and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones while creating memories along the way.

Last night, we celebrated our Class of 2026! Congratulations to our five graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

Today, staff and learners worked together in teams to create an award-winning sandwich in our 13th Annual Ungathered Protein Sandwich Competition (it’s not actually our 13th, but it sounded catchy 😄).
After sampling all of the sandwiches, staff and learners cast their votes for their favorite creations. It was a close finish, but ultimately Ashley’s team brought home the win with their Sloppy Jose’s—a Mexican-style twist on the classic sloppy joe!
A little friendly competition, creativity, and collaboration made for a fun and delicious day at Norris!

When learning is intentionally designed for young people at the margins, we create environments where all learners have the opportunity to thrive.

At Norris School District, we are committed to helping every learner get to their next best place—no matter the obstacles they may encounter along the way. Through individualized support, meaningful relationships, and innovative opportunities, our learners are achieving goals they once never imagined possible.

This short film highlights the incredible impact of that work and the resilience of the young people we are honored to serve. We are proud to share their stories and celebrate the intentional support, dedication, and care that make Norris such a special place.

Watch it HERE: https://tinyurl.com/EdReNSD
Learn more about Norris School District here: https://www.norrisacademywi.org/
Learn more about Education Reimagined here: https://education-reimagined.org/

It’s one of our learners’ (and staff’s) favorite times of the year—baby chick season! 🐣
There’s something special about holding, caring for, and watching these little ones grow. It’s hard not to smile when there are baby chicks around, and they always bring so much joy to our learning space.

Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 12:00 PM for our Trimester 3 Learner Showcase!

Our learners have been working hard and are excited to share their evidence of learning with you. We look forward to celebrating their growth and achievements together.

An impromptu jump-reach contest really showed off our learners’ athleticism, stretch, and competitive side! It was so much fun watching them challenge themselves and compete just for fun.

Teacher (Staff) Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the many ways appreciation can be shown—whether it’s receiving a sweet treat or enjoying a shared breakfast or lunch. While those gestures are always appreciated, sometimes the greatest gift is hearing words of affirmation from the learners we serve.

Our learners answered the prompt, “I appreciate you for…” and we turned their responses into framed gifts for our staff. Their gratitude, growth, and trust remind us why this work matters.

Thank you to all of our educators and staff for the care, dedication, and support you provide each day. The impact you make on our learners extends far beyond the classroom, and we are grateful for all that you do.

It’s been a week full of adventures, including a visit to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center! It was a great experience for learners to explore nature and connect with the outdoors.

Liz, our bearded dragon, was soaking up all the attention from some of our new learners—and loving every minute of it! 🦎

There’s something special about seeing a learner step outside their comfort zone and try something new.

Check out Malik taking on sewing for the very first time—embracing the challenge and building new skills along the way! 🧵👏

It was an exciting afternoon at Norris Academy as our baby chicks began to hatch! We currently have five out of their shells, with three more on the way—needless to say, everyone is pretty excited! 🐣

Wisconsin weather was finally cooperating, allowing us to enjoy some time outside. Malachi soaked up the beautiful day while strumming his guitar during exploratory time.

Last week was National Every Kid Healthy Week! The Norris School District participated each day in a variety of activities, including a push-up, sit-up, and run challenge.
Top 3 learners: Elian, Kamryn, and Riley (pictured).
Top winner: Elian! Congratulations!!!

Introducing our newest entrepreneur, Malik, and his Norris Beverage Cart! Over the past few weeks, Malik has been managing and operating his cart on Fridays, offering a variety of drinks—and recently adding small snacks. This venture has been wildly successful, and he’s excited to continue growing his business.