The Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) Marquette and Hawthorne elementary schools have been recognized with the Welcoming Schools Seal of Excellence, a national designation awarded by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to schools that demonstrate a sustained commitment to creating safe, inclusive and affirming learning environments for all students.
The Seal of Excellence is the highest honor offered through the foundation’s Welcoming Schools program, a comprehensive initiative that supports schools in fostering positive school climates, preventing bias-based bullying and ensuring students and families from all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued.
Schools earning the designation must demonstrate progress across nine benchmarks, including professional learning, family engagement, inclusive school practices, student learning opportunities and school climate initiatives.
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“These recognitions reflect the intentional work happening every day to ensure students feel valued for who they are,” said John Peschl, LGBTQIA+ teacher leader for MMSD. “Marquette and Hawthorne have demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering communities where students can grow and succeed while feeling a true sense of belonging.”
The Welcoming Schools program emphasizes professional development, inclusive school culture, family engagement and proactive efforts to address bias and bullying. Research cited by the organization shows that students who feel safe and supported are more engaged in school and better positioned for academic success.
“We work every day to create learning environments where students feel empowered to be themselves and contribute to the life of our school,” said Becky Peterson, principal of Marquette Elementary School. “The Seal of Excellence reflects the collective efforts of our staff, families and students to build a community rooted in empathy, understanding and mutual respect.”
Implementation of the Seal of Excellence process typically spans two to three years and includes ongoing consultation, professional learning and continuous improvement efforts. Schools must demonstrate sustained commitment to the program’s benchmarks and regularly assess their progress in creating inclusive learning environments.
“This award is a meaningful acknowledgment of the intentional work our staff has undertaken to strengthen school culture and support every learner,” said Lucy Sieber, principal of Hawthorne Elementary School. “We are proud of what we have created together and remain committed to growing and learning alongside our students and families.”
Marquette and Hawthorne join a growing number of schools nationwide recognized for their leadership in fostering welcoming, inclusive environments where every student can learn, grow and succeed. They are the fourth and fifth MMSD schools to earn the seal, following Nuestro Mundo, Schenk and Shorewood Hills in recent years.
