PLCS's 2025-2031 Strategic Plan identifies six areas of focus for improving our schools and serving our community. A dedicated team works within each area to identify solutions, develop interventions, and put ideas into action across the district. This year, we asked families and staff to weigh in on each area through a series of short pulse surveys, generating more than 10,000 responses. Here is a snapshot of what we heard and what each team is working on as a result.

Academic Rigor

Respondents expressed strong confidence in the quality of instruction happening in PLCS classrooms. Where the community wants to see continued growth is in ensuring every student receives the right level of individualized support to reach their full potential, regardless of building or background. That equity of support is a driving focus for this team's work.

Advanced Opportunities

Awareness of PLCS academies and AP coursework is strong across our community. Certification programs, trade pathways, and internship opportunities are less visible, particularly among families with younger students who haven't yet encountered them. Closing that awareness gap, and expanding access once awareness grows, is central to this team's work.

Pathways & Planning

Across questions about whether students and families can find information, understand their options, and get help making decisions about their academic future, responses landed in the moderate range. The signal is consistent: the pathways exist, but they aren't always easy to find or navigate. This team is focused on making that clearer at every level, from elementary through graduation.

Mental Health

Mental health support is one of the most complex challenges facing schools nationwide, and the responses reflect that complexity. Families and staff expressed the most confidence in knowing how to access support when a student is struggling, while adequacy of mental health support overall and effectiveness of student discipline emerged as areas where the community wants to see continued growth. The Mental Health team is working to strengthen systems, expand resources, and ensure every student has access to the support they need.

Access & Engagement

Respondents expressed broad confidence in how PLCS engages its community, with strong ratings for both school-level connection and student recognition. The areas families most want to see grow include more meaningful family involvement opportunities, stronger community and business partnerships, and expanded parent education and support programs. This team is using that input to shape where engagement efforts go next.

Strategic Staffing

Across families and staff, there is broad confidence that PLCS prioritizes hiring quality educators and provides meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Recognition and celebration of staff emerged as the area with the most room to grow, with the widest gap between those who agree it's done well and those who don't. The Strategic Staffing team is working to build systems that support retention, strengthen feedback, and ensure staff feel genuinely valued.