About Our School

Any student in or outside of the Kaukauna Area School District is eligible to apply.

A lottery process would take place in grade levels that have more applicants than space available. The lottery is a random selection process to ensure an equitable opportunity for all students. In order to be eligible for the lottery, applications must be received by the deadline on the enrollment form. Any applications received after this deadline could be placed on a waiting list.

Our class sizes are based on the district average.

NDLC provides a workshop-based curriculum aligned to the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards and Common CORE Standards. The workshop approach is built on individualized instruction aimed at growing readers, writers, mathematicians, and problem solvers for the real world. Key components of the workshop include skill focused instruction as well as teacher directed choice in independent reading, writing, and mathematics. This structure will also provide purposeful periods of time to engage in authentic reading, writing and mathematics. Inquiry Circles will be used to implement science and social studies standards.

At NDLC we believe in investing in staff so that they can invest in our students.  We provide high-quality professional development opportunities both during and outside of the school day. Staff participates in coaching cycles and labsites lead by our instructional coaches.  These job-embedded professional development opportunities allow staff to fine-tune their instructional practices while in the classroom with students.  We also partner with institutions like Columbia University, Mossflower Reading and Writing Project, Wilson Reading System, and Leader in Me to ensure that staff is continuously learning and bringing the best into the classroom for our students. 

Teachers at NDLC will look at the strengths and needs of each learner. In addition to whole group lessons, students will receive one-on-one and small group instruction in all subject areas.

NDLC will be held accountable to the district and to the state through assessments that measure student growth and achievement.

Partnerships with families will be an important component of NDLC. We believe that family engagement and leadership are integral to student learning. NDLC will be a place where families feel welcomed and honored for their unique contribution and for their perspectives on their child’s learning style and well being. Families will have the opportunity to collaborate with staff and one another. An inventory of parent skills and talents will be used to help them feel a part of the school community. Families will also be invited to school events and activities, on a monthly basis, that will promote and develop a positive home school connection.

NDLC is the first charter school in Wisconsin to feature a complete workshop model across the curriculum. The school is a state-of-the-art professional development laboratory for current and future teachers and administration in the Fox Valley area and beyond.