Principal Welcome

Welcome to Prairie Phoenix Academy
Home of the Rising Phoenix

Greetings Prairie Phoenix Academy and Other Alternative Programs Families and Community,

Welcome to another phenomenal year at PPA!

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, I’m filled with excitement and pride for the continued growth of our Prairie Phoenix Academy community. PPA is the third high school in the Sun Prairie Area School District, offering an in-person, alternative, and personalized learning experience for our scholars.

Our unique programming includes:

• Half-day Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) Option 2 (GEDO2)
• Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) partnership
• Community School model with wraparound supports

At PPA, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated staff takes pride in uplifting student voices, cultivating a sense of belonging, and preparing scholars for life beyond high school. We offer a smaller, more personalized setting where advisors use an interdisciplinary workshop model that aligns with student’s interests, learning styles, and goals. Scholars also benefit from project-based and experiential learning opportunities.

Our students consistently share how much they value being seen, heard, and supported. They thrive in a nurturing environment where adults go above and beyond to champion their success, not just toward high school graduation but also into their post-secondary journeys.

We deeply value our partnerships with families and believe that strong school-family connections are essential to our success. Families are always welcome at PPA and play a vital role in helping us build a thriving school community.

Enrollment at PPA is supported through the Student Services Team at each scholar’s boundary high school.

This year, we will continue to uplift:

• Responsively Fostering a Culture of Care
  We foster a strong sense of belonging by prioritizing relationships, promoting social-emotional wellness, and creating spaces for healing and restoration when harm occurs.
• Intentionally Disrupting Inequities
  We analyze student data in reading and math to close opportunity gaps, elevate student voices, and ensure equitable access to learning.
• Striving for Rigorous and Coherent Instruction
  We use our instructional framework and culturally responsive practices to deliver meaningful, relevant, and high-impact learning experiences.
• Elevating Community
  We honor student identity, family partnerships, and community collaboration. We create space for accountability and healing when relationships are harmed and work together to rebuild trust and connection.

We are honored to be on this journey with you and look forward to a powerful year of learning, growth, and community.

With gratitude and determination,
Nehemirah Barrett
Principal, Prairie Phoenix Academy and Other Alternative Programs