District Highlights
ASBA
Wilson Elementary School District: Strengthening family bonds and shaping future leaders
The Wilson Elementary School District, located in the heart of Phoenix, fosters a close-knit community through hard work and dedication. This commitment extends beyond the classroom, as the district serves entire families, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive. More than just an educational hub, Wilson is a place where families come together, share resources and foster growth.
Supporting families through essential services
Wilson’s approach is rooted in strategic planning and ongoing community feedback. Through surveys and discussions, the district has identified the most pressing needs of its families.
Two critical concerns that emerged were food and healthcare—needs the district quickly worked to address. Thanks to its ongoing efforts, families now have access to essential resources, including fresh vegetables, bread and more, twice a month at the Community Center.
“Our belief here is that we serve the whole family,” said Dina Culter, director of community engagement for Wilson ESD. “The school serves the child, but we serve the parents, because if the parents aren’t supported, the child won’t succeed.”
Wilson’s commitment to supporting families extends further with its newly developed inhouse food bank. Superintendent Ernest Rose Jr. highlighted how this initiative evolved from previous partnerships with outside organizations. “Today was our first opportunity to provide the public a chance to come through our own food bank,” he said. The food bank, combined with other services such as GED and ESL classes, is part of the district’s broader vision of uplifting the entire community.
Bridging schools and families
The Community Center acts as an extension of the district’s school campuses. In collaboration with school partners, Wilson ensures that every student has access to necessary resources.
One example is the ‘clothing room’, which provides free uniforms to students. By removing this financial burden, Wilson allows students to focus on learning without worrying about basic needs.
“Wilson is a small, tight-knit community, and now we can truly bridge our two schools together,” said Principal Maki Wojcicki. “We aim to make sure our students feel loved, cared for and empowered to reach their full potential.”
Beyond basic needs, Wilson is increasing its investment in family engagement by offering computer courses for parents, reopening its library after school hours and even extending playground access to families after school. “Our community doesn’t really have a park for young people to go to after hours,” Ernest Rose Jr. said. “So we’re opening up our playground for our families as well.”
A vision for the future: Media literacy and more
Wilson embraces the changing landscape of education, ensuring students are prepared for the future. One exciting development is the introduction of an audio-visual class for fifth through eighth graders. Led by Wilson’s audio-visual teacher, Robert Fudge, the class equips students with skills for careers in journalism, media and beyond.
“Photography is the foundation of everything we do in this class,” Mr. Fudge said. “Once our students master photography, they can incorporate it into other areas, from video production to audio storytelling. This will give them the tools they need to succeed in high school and beyond.”
The district is also expanding its media program where students can gain hands-on experience in video editing, audio recording and production setup. “We’re envisioning a program that allows our young people to experience shooting, editing and even working in a recording studio,” Ernest Rose Jr. said.
A community that cares
It’s often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and Wilson couldn’t agree more. The district relies on support from school board members, residents and community partners to make its programs a success. This involvement is at the heart of everything Wilson does.
“Wilson’s community really comes out and supports everything we do,” Ernest Rose Jr. said. “We are providing computer courses for our parents, restarting our GED classes and offering new after-school programs for our families.”
Wilson’s school board plays a key role in this community-driven approach. “Our board is amazing,” Ernest Rose Jr. said. “Whenever we have an event, our board is there, actively engaged, volunteering and ensuring our community has a voice.” Their dedication is evident in the board’s active involvement, with members regularly engaging in community events and decision-making processes to support Wilson’s mission.
Looking ahead
As Wilson continues to evolve and grow, one thing remains clear: The district is more than just a collection of schools—it’s a family. By supporting students, parents and community members, Wilson is committed to shaping a brighter future for all.
Wilson’s bond with its community was further reinforced when voters overwhelmingly supported two overrides and a bond measure, demonstrating their trust in the district’s vision. “Our community is truly vested in what we’re doing here,” Ernest Rose Jr. said. “And we truly appreciate them for that.”
The district continues to plan and strengthen its commitment to family engagement by ensuring at least one major family event takes place each month. Past events have included movie nights on the playground and book nights where families read together under the stars. “We want to get rid of the stigma that what happens at home doesn’t affect school,” Ernest Rose Jr. said. “We’re all on this road trip together, working toward the same destination.”