District Curriculum
Standards-Based Learning for Students in Grades 4K–12
A Foundation for Lifelong Learning
At the School District of Marshfield, we believe that a cohesive, standards-based curriculum is essential for developing confident, capable learners. From early childhood through high school, our curriculum builds on a strong foundation and advances toward college, career, and community readiness. Aligned with Wisconsin State Standards, our instructional approach emphasizes academic achievement while fostering creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities.
All content areas are designed to support growth in knowledge, skill development, and personal growth—ensuring students are prepared for lifelong success.
What Makes Our Standards Unique?
Across all grade levels—from 4K through high school—our curriculum is grounded in research-based practices and aligned with Wisconsin State Standards. While each stage of learning is tailored to student development, all are connected by these shared values:
✔ Clear Learning Targets: Students know what they are expected to learn through clearly defined goals and “I Can” statements.
✔ Academic Rigor with Flexibility: Standards challenge students while allowing for differentiated instruction to meet varied learning needs.
✔ Student-Centered Design: Curriculum is responsive to students’ developmental levels, interests, and real-world relevance.
✔ Social-Emotional Growth: Instruction nurtures confidence, collaboration, and character alongside academic achievement.
✔ Vertical Alignment: Content builds logically from one grade level to the next, ensuring smooth transitions and cumulative growth.
✔ Career and Life Readiness: Students are prepared not only for academic success, but for meaningful engagement in college, careers, and the community.
Explore Our Curriculum
Use the sections below to learn more about what students experience at each grade level. Each panel provides an overview of learning goals and focus areas by age group. Click the links at the bottom of each section to view detailed curriculum documents.
Early Learning | 4K–K
Whole-Child Development Through Play and Exploration
Our 4K and kindergarten programs follow the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) and focus on nurturing every aspect of a child’s development:
✔ Social and Emotional Growth
✔ Early Language and Literacy
✔ Cognition and General Knowledge
✔ Approaches to Learning
✔ Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Students engage in rich, play-based experiences that foster curiosity, cooperation, and foundational skills. Instruction is developmentally appropriate and emphasizes learning through exploration, conversation, movement, and creativity.
Explore 4K–K CurriculumElementary Grades | K–6
Building a Strong Academic Foundation
Our elementary curriculum (Grades K–6) provides a structured, student-centered framework that ensures all learners gain critical academic skills and develop lifelong learning habits.
✔ Clear Learning Targets – “I Can” statements
✔ Balanced Curriculum with SEL and real-world application
✔ Vertical Alignment for smooth transitions
✔ Differentiated, engaging instruction
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Subjects include:
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Art, Music, Physical Education
- Health and Wellness
- Digital Literacy and Citizenship
Middle School | Grades 7–8
Expanding Skills and Exploring Interests
Middle schoolers build on foundational knowledge while discovering new interests. Focus areas include:
✔ Critical thinking and collaboration
✔ Deeper academic rigor
✔ Inquiry and problem-solving
✔ ACP and exploratory electives
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Core subjects:
- ELA, math, science, social studies
- Music, art, world language, technical education, and wellness
- Digital learning, career exploration, and project-based experiences
High School | Grades 9–12
Preparing Students for Life After Graduation
The high school curriculum supports diverse postsecondary paths with academic rigor, electives, and programs such as:
✔ AP, dual credit, and Youth Apprenticeship
✔ College, career, and military exploration
✔ CTE pathways and STEM integration
✔ Fine arts, health, PE
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Offerings include:
- A full range of academic and elective courses
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways
- STEM integration and real-world learning
- Fine arts, health, and physical education