Curriculum and Instruction

Northwest Community Schools

Curriculum and Instruction

The Curriculum and Instruction Department serves the students, families, and communities of Northwest by providing an exceptional, innovative, well-rounded educational program for all students. Through research and learning; identification and development of excellent educators; assessment and data-driven practices; professional development and coaching; curriculum selection, implementation and design; program development and support; and generally supporting the needs of the teachers and administrators of the Northwest Community School District, the Curriculum and Instruction department grows each faculty and staff member and student in the direction of their own greatness.

Instructional Content for Northwest Community Schools
The primary sources of instructional objectives for the Northwest Community Schools are the Michigan Academic Standards from the State of Michigan Department of Education. These documents guide all instructional content, grades k-12. They are utilized throughout the instructional process: lesson planning, implementation, presentation, and evaluation.
All subject areas are aligned to these content standards and paced according to the length of the school year or course. Common Assessments are designed by the teachers for each grade and or course. Teachers utilize data as a part of their common weekly collaboration time to make informed decisions in their instruction. Illuminate is the data management system that is used by Northwest Community School teachers for this process.

2025-2026 MICIP Goals:

Attendance

By the Spring of 2026, the district will see an increase in non-chronically absent (0-9.9%) attendance from 73% to 76.5% for the district as measured by the PowerSchool Chronic Absenteeism report.

Behavior

By the Spring of 2026, the district will see an average percentage in referrals for the 0-1 range increase from 75% to 78% as measured by the SWIS triangular report which includes only administrator-managed referrals

Content- Tier 1

By Spring of 2026, the district will increase the percentage from 80% to 85% for both elementary and secondary on the Tier I RTFI as measured by Spring Tier 1 RTFI.Elementary Goal.

Content - Advanced Tiers

Elementary Goal: By the Spring of 2026, the district will increase the percentage on the Advanced Tiers RTFI from 72% to 77% in elementary as measured by the spring RTFI.
Secondary Goal: By the Spring of 2026, the district will increase the percentage from 62% to 67% on the secondary RTFI Advanced Tiers as measured by the spring RTFI.

Director of Instruction

Stephanie Kristovic Director Of Instruction Northwest Community Schools 517-817-4700

Elementary Learning Standards & Curriculum

Secondary Learning Standards and Curriculum

Resources for English Learners

504 Resources

Gifted and Talented Education

Online Learning Resources

Reproductive Health Information

Northwest Sexual Education Advisory Board

The Northwest Community Schools host the Sex Education Advisory Board, in accordance with the legal requirements of the State of Michigan and the Department of Education. The Sex Education Advisory Board is a district committee consisting of parents, students, educators, local clergy, and medical professionals. The law requires that a minimum of 50% of members be parents of current Northwest students. Participants will be selected based on the required demographics, as well as the requirement that 50% or more are current parents. The role of the Sex Education Advisory Board is to make recommendations regarding Sex Education resources to the Board of Education and host two public hearings to provide the community with an opportunity to evaluate the proposals and give feedback before the Northwest Community Schools Board of Education votes for their adoption. All materials are first recommended by educators and referred to the advisory board for approval. If materials are a collective recommendation of the advisory board, the board of education will be asked to vote to approve new materials for use in NWCS classrooms. If you have any questions regarding the process, please contact Cari Bushinski, Director of Instruction.

2-Year Report

Reproductive Health student learning objectives

Advisory Board

Advisory Board by carib33

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Curriculum and Instruction