Partnership Spotlight: Madison Metropolitan School District
Changes have taken root at Madison’s La Follette High School for the 2025-26 school year – and the results are apparent on several levels. Vivid art now lines the walls, replacing the drab colors often associated with schools from just a few years ago.
And, most importantly, there abundant new opportunities for students . . .
“Root 2 Rise is an incredible option for students at the margins” said Principal Mat Thompson. “I already see real benefits when I talk to students.”
“It's just amazing that we can offer Root 2 Rise,” said Molly Hayes, Coordinator of Academic and Student Engagement, who helps place the juniors and seniors who work with younger students at the elementary schools within the district.
Several Tutor-Mentors have already expressed an interest in becoming teachers, which reflects Thompson’s hope that Root 2 Rise will lead students to pursue a career in education, as several Root 2 Rise graduates have already done — becoming special education assistants and, with support from the district and Root 2 Rise Thrive, attend college.
As a principal, Thompson knows that this path from student to educator matters well beyond his own school: schools nationwide face a growing teacher shortage and a lack of diversity in the educator workforce, and research shows that students tend to experience higher engagement and achievement when taught by educators who share their racial or cultural background. With 97% of Tutor-Mentors being youth of color and more than 30% of participants expressing interest in education careers, Root 2 Rise is actively working to help address both challenges.
“Our students in Root 2 Rise feel really good about their work and are already developing a vision for their future,” Thompson said.
“Some students simply get lost in a classroom with 30 or more students or just aren’t engaged with all subjects,” Hayes said. “It’s really powerful when these students feel confident and know that their presence matters.”
The commitment of Thompson and Hayes reflects their experiences in high school: Thompson said he “never felt fully connected” and Hayes struggled with a learning disability.
“I no longer expect to see several students wandering the halls, drifting away from education,” Thompson said.
He's not just an observer, however. He checks in with students, including while serving as a morning crossing guard at the school. Even at that early hour, Thompson said students in Root 2 Rise “are excited to be attending school.”
