Teaching & Learning

The Instruction Department welcomes you! We are proud to be associated with the Utica Community Schools, its programs and services.

Robert Van Camp
Interim Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

Robin Dilday, Director of Athletics
Patricia McKinnon, Executive Director of Special Services
Denise Polizzi, Director of Community Education
Mary Johnston, Director of School Improvement, Assessments/Grants

Our primary goal is to provide a comprehensive educational program, which develops the physical, academic, and social aspects of all children. We believe that a quality education is a collaborative effort, a responsibility shared by the home, school, students, and community. Our schools serve as the centers of this community endeavor and reach out to our residents to improve the quality of life and learning for all.

We believe parents are a child's first teachers. To underscore this belief, the district annually revises and publishes Learning Links, standards that define what students should know and be able to do upon completion of a grade or course. These standards set high expectations for all students and are based upon our shared conviction that all students can learn and succeed. By sharing this information, parents can become even more active in their children's learning.

An important component of our comprehensive program is Positive Choices, an initiative for helping young people develop knowledge and skills necessary to confidently face challenges and make wise decisions at each stage of their lives. Through Positive Choices!, we encourage students to demonstrate respect, responsibility, integrity, personal best and positive communication. Everyone who touches the lives of children - home, school and the community - is encouraged to be partners in this endeavor to help our students make positive choices.

The Elementary Education and Secondary Education Departments collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop programs and select instructional materials that are aligned with district, state and national standards. Recent initiatives that enhance the curriculum include the following:

  • Extensive cutting-edge technology and resources available to students and staff in all classrooms, including wide-area networking and educational access to the internet;
  • Recognized fine arts programs offered to all students K-12 including a model-site MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) lab and a senior high course, Multi Media Productions;
  • A specially-designed 9-12 program (Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology) for the academically talented student who has an intense interest in mathematics, science, computer science, and curriculum-integrated technology;
  • A specially-designed 7-12 program (Utica Center for Applied Learning) for the alternative education student; and
  • An expanded K-12 bilingual/ESL program.

Utica Community Schools actively seeks partnerships with businesses in the area to provide our students with learning experiences and practical application in a variety of careers. Through our Career and Technical Education Department, students are encouraged to gain "real life" experience by interning or job shadowing to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a professional situation.

Families have the opportunity to avail themselves of district programs and services from the time their children are of pre-school age. The Special Services Department strives to provide appropriate resources and interventions to enable all students with special needs to achieve success.

Another strong support system is provided by the Community Education Department which offers to every segment of the community comprehensive programming, including early childhood, high school completion and enrichment classes for learners of all ages.

Communicating effectively with all our residents is facilitated through district publications, UCS-TV and the district website. Focus for the Community, a publication of the Utica Community Schools, is mailed to all households and serves to inform the community of district accomplishments. School newsletters, along with elementary and secondary student and parent handbooks, keep parents apprised of school-related information, activities and events as well as district policies and procedures so they can be partners in their children's education. Additionally, a series of three guidebooks, Focus on Your Future, is a valuable resource to students and parents as they journey through secondary schools.

The Utica Community Schools has a long-standing commitment to the use of educational technology in its classrooms and schools.