Curriculum

What do we want all students to know and be able to do?

At the West Bend School District, we believe every learner deserves a path that fits—not the other way around.

That's why we offer hundreds of courses, spanning required foundations and a large menu of elective opportunities. As students grow and advance through the grade levels, so do their options, with increasing elective choices that reflect their individual interests, goals, and strengths.

But a great curriculum is about more than course offerings. It's about how students experience learning along the way. We're dedicated to creating an environment where every learner feels respected, accepted, and supported. For us, success is measured not against a single standard, but against each student's own growth and potential.

From kindergarten through graduation, West Bend students are met where they are and challenged to go further.

Curriculum for All Grades

Additional Information

Academic Standards

Annual Notice of Academic Standards Wisconsin State Statute 120.12(13) requires that annually parents and guardians of students residing in the school district are notified of the Board approved academic standards that will be utilized during the school year. The academic standards that will be utilized during the 2025-26 school year in the West Bend School District by subject area and/or grade level is listed below. If you have any questions with regard to this notice, please contact the school district at wbsd@wbsd-schools.org.

Early Literacy Remediation Plan

Human Growth & Development

The West Bend School District believes that the family plays a critical role in students’ human growth and development education. The schools support both parents/guardians and children in their efforts to develop an understanding of human sexuality and family. Instruction in Human Growth and Development is offered to students in the District in grades 4 and 5 and at the secondary level in grades 8-12. Human Growth and Development instruction is guided by Wisconsin State Statute 118.019.

Grades 4 and 5 Human Growth and Development

At the 4th and 5th grade level, there is a three-day introductory unit on the changes students experience during puberty, including a review of behaviors needed to stay healthy; sleep, nutrition, personal hygiene, exercise, safety, grooming, and self-image. Additionally, a unit on the social, emotional, and physical changes that occur as one reaches puberty is presented to separate gender groups, which includes discussion on the structure and function of the reproductive systems and disease prevention, including AIDS, for their gender. Medical professionals participate in the lesson on how the body changes. Parents are invited to attend this session.

4th Grade Human Growth and Development

5th Grade Human Growth and Development

Health and Wellness Course, Grades 8-12

The Health and Wellness course is a graduation requirement designed to promote overall well-being. The course emphasizes the importance of total health—mental, physical, and social—as essential to success in today’s society. Key topics include mental health, social health, nutrition, physical fitness, substance abuse, human growth and development, disease prevention, and community health and safety. Human growth and development content is embedded as a unit in the curriculum. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to develop and maintain healthy behaviors that support positive lifestyle choices.

8th Grade Human Growth and Development

Parent Letters

Letters are sent to families of students in the 4th, 5th, and 8th grades from the school before the start of the unit.

4th Grade

English
Spanish
Pashto
Dari

5th Grade

English
Spanish
Pashto

8th Grade

English
Spanish
Pashto

Opt-Out

As a parent or guardian, you also have the option of removing your son/daughter from all or part of the Human Growth and Development instruction. If you choose to do so, please complete the appropriate opt-out form and have your student return the form to their teacher.

4th Grade Opt-Out

5th Grade Opt-Out
Grades 8-12 Opt-Out

Resource Reconsideration

If a parent or community member has a concern about instructional materials in the district, a request for reconsideration of the use of the resource can be requested for Policy 361.1 Selection of Resources (including Reconsideration) and Administrative Rule 361.1 Guidelines for Selection of Instructional Resources. Once a decision has been made by the reconsideration committee, a resource can not be challenged for three (3) years. A high-level overview of the process is below.

Resource Reconsideration Process

Step 1: Address the complaint with the site Principal

Step 2: If this is not addressed at the site level, a stakeholder can complete the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Resource form and submit it to the school district.

Step 3: A committee is convened and guided by the administrative rule to make a recommendation on the request for reconsideration.

Step 4: If the requester is not satisfied with the committee's decision, they can appeal the decision to the Superintendent.

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