Phase 2 of MMSD’s Facilities Referendum Projects Now Underway

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has officially launched the planning process for Phase 2 of its facilities referendum projects, which will invest more than $500 million in improvements across 10 schools and seven sites.

Phase 2 projects include Orchard Ridge Elementary/Akira R. Toki Middle, Cherokee Heights Middle and Ray F. Sennett Middle schools. Similar to Phase 1, all Phase 2 projects will be entirely new buildings that replace the existing facilities with modern, flexible learning environments designed to both meet the needs of today’s students and support future growth. 

“We are excited to continue this important work, which will benefit our students for years to come,” said Scott Chehak, senior executive director of building services. “As we move forward, we remain committed to completing these projects on time and on budget.

Concept Overview

All concepts and renderings are preliminary and subject to change.

Orchard Ridge’s/Toki’s concept is “Connect to Nature.” The new building will occupy the northwest corner of the site, with classrooms and a common space that back up to the school forest, which is anticipated to be unimpacted by the construction. 

The Cherokee Heights concept, “Nestled into Landscape,” nods to the layout of the school’s proposed setting in the site’s hillside and amongst its mature oak trees, with a new common space situated between the primary and ancillary education wings and the gymnasium. 

The Sennett concept is called “HS Axis,” referencing the new building being located on a vertical axis with its site partner, Robert M. La Follette High School. This concept features library mall green space between the buildings, designed as an area where students and staff can collaborate.

Community, student and staff feedback is essential to the design process; a staff input session at Cherokee Heights Middle School kicked off the Phase 2 work. Additional sessions for staff and the community will take place throughout the fall for the other Phase 2 projects.

Phase 1 work—which includes Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School and Samuel Gompers Elementary School/Black Hawk Middle School—continues to move forward and remains on track to break ground in the late winter/early spring of 2026. Phase 2 projects will follow no later than early 2027.

Additional information can be found on the MMSD website, which is updated regularly.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

MMSD and Wisconsin Athletics Continue Reading Partnership with Role Model Reading Day at Sandburg Elementary School

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and Wisconsin Athletics are launching the second year of their literacy-focused partnership, beginning with a Role Model Reading Day at Carl Sandburg Elementary School on Monday, Sept. 22.

With a shared goal of inspiring a love of reading and closing the literacy gap, MMSD and Wisconsin Athletics are teaming up with the 2nd & 7 Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by head football coach Luke Fickell and his former Ohio State teammates Ryan Miller and Mike Vrabel.

Through the collaboration, UW student-athletes from a variety of sports will visit MMSD schools weekly to celebrate the joy of reading. Each session will see Badger student-athletes distributing free books and spending 30–40 minutes reading with MMSD students, helping foster a love of reading and supporting literacy development.

This year’s program will reach MMSD’s eight full-service Community Schools: Hawthorne, John F. Kennedy, Lake View, Aldo Leopold, Mendota, Orchard Ridge, Carl Sandburg and Lori Mann Carey.

“I’m honored and proud to once again partner our 2nd & 7 Role Model Reading Program with the Madison School District,” said Fickell. “Our goal is to inspire children and foster a love of reading, but it’s also a great way for our student-athletes to connect with the community here in Madison. I’ve heard from countless athletes over the years of the joy they get from visiting classrooms and hopefully the impact we’re having can be felt all over the Madison Metropolitan School District as well.”

The partnership aligns with the district’s Mad for Reading initiative and underscores its commitment to literacy as the foundation of student success.

“When young learners see people they admire taking time to read with them, it sends a powerful message about the importance of literacy,” said Cindy Green, MMSD’s assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “Just as athletics and other co-curricular activities build belonging and connection for older students, leading to stronger attendance and academic performance, these early experiences help our youngest learners see themselves as part of a community that values their growth.”

The partnership is coordinated through MMSD’s Office of Strategy and Innovation and its Community Schools, ensuring that it supports school improvement plans and strengthens family-school-community connections.

The 2025–26 Role Model Reading Program runs from Sept. 3 through May 10, with student-athletes scheduled to visit participating schools on Mondays. The program is part of Badgers Give Back, UW Athletics’ community engagement platform.

For more information about the district’s approach to literacy, as well as ways for families and community members to support young readers, please visit the MMSD website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

MMSD Leads the State in National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) holds the distinction of having more semifinalists for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program than any other Wisconsin district.

West High School has 28 semifinalists, the most of any school in the state. Along with East (four semifinalists) and Vel Phillips Memorial (11), MMSD’s high schools are collectively home to 43 semifinalists, determined based on their performance on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which tested participants in the areas of evidence-based reading, writing, language and mathematics. 

The registration deadline for this year’s PSAT is Thursday, Sept. 24. In addition to eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program, students are encouraged to take the PSAT to get feedback on their college readiness and give themselves an idea of what to expect when they take the SAT as juniors. 

“These results highlight the incredible talent, perseverance and dedication of our students, as well those who support them,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “Achievements like this remind us of the potential within every student and reinforce our commitment to providing rigorous, high-quality learning opportunities for them.”

Each year, National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists comprise approximately 16,000 seniors, out of an eligible pool of approximately 1.3 million. Of those 16,000 students, about 15,000 go on to receive the title of National Merit Scholar finalist, 6,390 of whom are selected as Merit Scholarship winners. The combined value of all scholarships issued by the program is over $33 million.

MMSD’s full list of semifinalists is as follows:

Lauren Alibali (West)	Noah Estrella (West)	Mable Miller (Memorial)
August Andersen (West)	Raena Grainger (Memorial)	Enzo Ng (West)
Seth Banks (West)	Silas Grant (West)	Josh Pierotti (Memorial)
Josemaria Barut (East)	Zijun He (West)	Gabriela Retana (West)
Joseph Beal (West)	Isaac Hessman (West)	Brandon Royalty (West)
Theodore Beilfuss (East)	Oliver Hoeksema (East)	Simon Sellwood (Memorial)
Madeleine Bohn (West)	Anya Isaac (Memorial)	Hunter Shadman (West)
Edward Bradbury (West)	Naomi Jovaag (East)	Kayla Shelton (Memorial)
Alex Byrnes (Memorial)	Tavish Kennedy (West)	Ravi Suryan-Beilin (West)
Michelle Cai (Memorial)	Steven Kuemmel (West)	Beatrice Vaughan (West)
Timon Cantley (West)	Thanish Lankella (Memorial)	Rosemary Walsh (West)
Samuel Carlsson (West)	Eleanor Lawler (West)	Clara Warrick (West)
Angelina Chang (West)	Jason Li (Memorial)	Chase Xia (West)
Christabel Engel (West)	Mae Loewen (West)	Nina Zhu (Memorial)
	Benjamin Mayeshiba (West)

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Madison Physician Leader Helps Set National Standards for Obesity Care

Madison, WI — [9/18/2026] — Madison physician Dr. Leslie Golden, MD, MPH, FOMA, founder and CEO of Weight In Gold Wellness, is earning national recognition for her leadership in shaping the future of obesity care.

Dr. Golden, who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), is first author on newly published national standards for safe, evidence-based use of obesity medications through digital and online platforms. She was also recently honored as a Fellow of the OMA (FOMA) and received the Vernon Astler Award, one of the OMA’s highest recognitions for contributions to the field.

Obesity affects nearly two out of three adults in Wisconsin and is a leading driver of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. With the Madison area now served by Weight In Gold Wellness, Dr. Golden brings national expertise directly into the local community.

“As clinicians, we have a responsibility to make sure patients receive care that is integrated, coordinated, and rooted in long-term health,” said Dr. Golden. “It’s exciting to bring that level of comprehensive, evidence-based care to Madison.”

Weight In Gold Wellness is a physician-led, multi-disciplinary practice providing obesity and weight health services to patients across Wisconsin. By expanding in Madison, the practice is not only improving access to care for individuals and families, but also helping to support a healthier workforce and community.

For more information, visit www.weightingoldwellness.com.

Orthopedic & Spine Centers of Wisconsin Launch Saturday Morning Sports Injury Clinic

Madison, WI, September 2025 — Orthopedic & Spine Centers of Wisconsin (OSCW) is making it easier for athletes and families to access timely orthopedic care during the busy fall sports season. Beginning this month, OSCW is offering a Saturday Morning Sports Injury Clinic designed specifically for acute sports-related injuries.

OSCW is committed to supporting local athletes and active families. The clinic was created to give athletes and families access to timely orthopedic care on weekends, when injuries are most likely to happen. Instead of waiting until Monday, patients can be seen right away by OSCW’s specialists who focus on keeping kids and adults active, healthy, and supported in the moments they need it most.

Key Details

• When: Every Saturday morning through November 22, 2025
• Where: Arbor Gate Complex, 2501 W. Beltline Hwy #601, Madison 53713
• Time: 9:00–11:30 AM (no appointment needed)
• Who: Open to athletes of all ages, as well as non-athletes with acute injuries
• Cost: Most insurance plans accepted, with affordable self-pay options available

The clinic is not intended for chronic orthopedic issues but focuses on sudden injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, and other acute conditions that may benefit from immediate evaluation. With fellowship trained orthopedic physicians on-site, the clinic provides an alternative to urgent care or ER visits—offering specialized expertise in sports injuries without long wait times or unnecessary costs.

A direct phone line is available exclusively for the Saturday clinic: (608) 247-5808. Patients may call ahead with questions, though walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is required.