West Ada School District Podcast

Summer School Myths, Benefits & Student Voices 🎙️

In this edition of the West Ada Podcast, we’re diving into summer school and exploring how summer learning can make a lasting impact for students. We’re joined by longtime summer school teacher Holly Clayton, and Katie’s son Blake shares the student perspective on staying engaged during the summer months. With registration closing May 21, now is the perfect time to learn more about the benefits, opportunities, and value of summer learning. Plus, in our Student Pulse segment, we’re spotlighting Mountain View High School and the incredible things happening with the Mavericks. Horns up! 🤘 Want to learn more about Stinky Sneaker? Watch here: https://youtu.be/hCw4YqmSRF8 [https://youtu.be/hCw4YqmSRF8] Interested in VIP Prom? Check it out here: https://youtu.be/DwToRObMPyc [https://youtu.be/DwToRObMPyc] Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or subscribe on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

🎧 Peer Tutoring Power: How Renaissance Students Drive Academic Success

If you’re a parent considering Renaissance High School, or an educator exploring ways to improve student achievement, academic success, and peer tutoring programs, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 🏫 Renaissance is the top ranked high school in Idaho [https://www.idahoednews.org/top-news/west-ada-lakeland-and-charters-stand-out-in-new-statewide-school-rankings/], and one key to that success is its powerful peer tutoring model. Over spring break, a team of students and staff attended the Secondary School Writing Centers Association (SSWCA) Conference, gaining new strategies to support student learning and writing skills. 🎙️ In this episode, we hear from Dany and Brannia—student leaders and peer tutors at the Lighthouse Tutoring Center [https://www.westada.org/o/rhs/page/academic-support-programs/]. They share their experiences from the conference and talk about the impact of peer-to-peer learning, academic support, and asking for help in a rigorous school environment. ✨ Their insights highlight how student leadership, collaboration, and tutoring programs can drive real results. 👉 Tune in to learn how Renaissance is supporting college readiness, student growth, and academic excellence. 🔗 Learn more about peer tutoring at Renaissance here: [https://youtu.be/rlR03MWhWt8] 🔗 Learn more about the Secondary School Writing Centers Association (SSWCA) here: [https://sswca.org/] #WeAreWestAda #RenaissanceHighSchool #PeerTutoring #StudentSuccess #EducationPodcast #AcademicExcellence #IdahoSchools #SSWCA #StudentLeadership #CollegeReadiness

👉 Driving Excellence: How West Ada is Leading the Way

Statewide school rankings are in—and West Ada is excelling! 🎉📊 Learn more: https://www.idahoednews.org/top-news/west-ada-lakeland-and-charters-stand-out-in-new-statewide-school-rankings/ [https://www.idahoednews.org/top-news/west-ada-lakeland-and-charters-stand-out-in-new-statewide-school-rankings/] What’s driving this success? Outstanding teachers and a deep commitment to professional learning. 🍎📚 In this episode, we’re joined by Rhonda McDonough, Chief Academic Officer of Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Michael McDowell—an international author and coach 🌍—as they discuss West Ada’s relentless pursuit of excellence, instructional practices, and how educators and leaders are improving student achievement across the district. In our Student Pulse segment (that begins at 26:41), meet Taya and Alec, Co-ASB Presidents at Meridian High School. 🎓💬 Amid a year of change, they share how students and staff are working together to strengthen school culture, student leadership, and community engagement. #WeAreWestAda #EducationExcellence #StudentAchievement #TeacherImpact #ProfessionalLearning #K12Education #SchoolLeadership

$60,000 in Prizes?! Inside West Ada’s Athletics Fundraiser 🎁🏀

In this special Pop-Up Pulse edition of the West Ada Podcast, we’re joined by Activities & Athletics Director Jason Warr and Mountain View High School baseball coach Justin Schneidt to talk all things West Ada Activities & Athletics Fundraiser 🏀⚾🎟️ With the spring raffle closing Friday, April 3, now is the time to get involved and support student programs, athletics, and activities across West Ada School District 📣 Jason shares how this school fundraiser has grown since its inception—creating opportunities for programs to raise funds while keeping more of what they earn 💰 With over $60,000 in prizes awarded each raffle, the impact is real—and the prizes are incredible 🎁 Coach Schneidt brings a coach’s perspective, sharing how Mountain View baseball has found success through the fundraiser and what it means for student-athletes, teams, and school communities ⚾ 👉 Learn more about the West Ada spring raffle, prizes, and how to support: https://www.westada.org/page/activities-athletics-fundraiser [https://www.westada.org/page/activities-athletics-fundraiser] 👉 See real winners from across the district 🎉:  https://youtu.be/Im8nl7jRQ4o [https://youtu.be/Im8nl7jRQ4o] #WeAreWestAda #SchoolFundraiser #StudentAthletes #WestAdaAthletics #SupportOurSchools

Unified Champion Schools: How West Ada is Building Belonging

In the latest episode of the West Ada Podcast, we explore the powerful impact our special education teams and Unified Champion Schools programs are having across the district. We’re joined by two outstanding leaders in West Ada special education. Jennifer Crowl has been instrumental in building the Unified Champion Schools program at Mountain View High School since its inception. The Mavericks have led the way in Unified programming for years and have been recognized by Special Olympics as one of the top Unified Champion Schools programs in the nation since 2018. We also hear from Scott Deck, a special education teacher at Eagle High School. Eagle was recently honored by Special Olympics in Washington, D.C. as one of the nation’s recognized Unified Champion Schools—an incredible achievement for the program and our district. This episode also features two Mountain View students involved in the Unified program. Calvin, a Special Olympics athlete, and Mitchel, his classmate and Unified partner, share their experiences and perspective on how the program brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. What’s happening in these schools is building friendships, strengthening community, and creating a culture of belonging that is truly inspiring. 🎧 Learn more about Mountain View’s Unified Champion Schools program here: https://youtu.be/_Am0N2YYo_E [https://youtu.be/_Am0N2YYo_E] 🇺🇸 Watch the story of Eagle High School’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. here: https://youtu.be/8xQcrvN-iIg [https://youtu.be/8xQcrvN-iIg] If you’re a middle school teacher interested in starting a Unified Champion Schools program, we’d love to connect with you. Please reach out to us at communicate@westada.org . #WeAreWestAda #UnifiedChampionSchools #SpecialEducation #UnifiedSports #SpecialOlympics #StudentLeadership #WestAdaPodcast