Principal's Message

Greetings, Winterset Junior High Community,
Welcome to Winterset Junior High, a school where we are deeply committed to excellence and the success of every student. Our mission is clear: we will R.I.S.E. to become the premier junior high school in Iowa. This goal is not merely about accolades; it is about our unwavering commitment to providing an educational experience that prepares our students for the complexities of the modern world.
To R.I.S.E. means we focus our daily efforts on four foundational pillars:

• R – Real-World Application: Moving beyond traditional rote learning to engage students in application-based experiences that solve actual problems.
  

• I – Integration of 21st Century Skills: Cultivating the essential attributes of our "Profile of a Graduate," specifically:
  

• Critical Thinker/Problem Solver
  

• Self-Starter/Driven
  

• Growth Mindset
  

• Innovative Thinker
  

• Effective Communicator
  

• Collaborator
  

• S – Self-Worth and Connections: Fostering an environment where every student recognizes their intrinsic value and feels a deep sense of belonging.
  

• E – Encouraging Authentic Relationships: Building strong, transparent bonds between students, staff, and our Winterset community.
  

Being a member of Winterset Junior High means being part of something bigger than oneself. We are not just a school; we are a community dedicated to carrying on a proud legacy while innovating for the future. Our staff is driven by the belief that education should be defined by unique, powerful, and memorable moments for our students and their families.
We invite you to partner with us as we strive to make this vision a reality. Together, we will ensure that our students do more than just attend school—they will lead, create, and thrive.