the southwestern school district

DISTRICT OFFICE
Mark B. Skertich, Superintendent
201 East City Limits Road, Brighton, IL 62012
(618) 372-3813
DISTRICT SNAPSHOT
Welcome to Southwestern Community Unit
School District #9, home of the Piasa Birds.
The majority of our students live in the towns
of Brighton, Medora, Piasa and Shipman
in Illinois’ Macoupin, Jersey and Greene
counties. Each is less than an hour from
St. Louis, Missouri and Edwardsville and
Springfield, Illinois. Our district consists of
five schools, which house more than 1,550
students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Student success and school pride are both
longstanding traditions in the Southwestern
School District, traditions that continue
to this day. Our emphasis on hard work,
dedication, and community collaboration help
Southwestern students thrive in a safe and
quality school environment.
OUR BOARD
A seven-member community
elected School Board leads the District:
Don Little, Board President
Tim Baker, Board Vice President
Randy Gallagher, Board Secretary
Brad Gillespie, Member
Steve Reed, Member
Dara Simmons, Member
Michael Wegener, Member
THE SOUTHWESTERN
SCHOOL DISTRICT,
in an active partnership between family
and community, provides educational
excellence in a caring environment
where all students learn and succeed.
Within this environment, Southwestern
students grow academically, socially,
creatively, and physically to achieve
their greatest potential.
BRIGHTON NORTH PRIMARY
Diane Milner, Principal
201 E. City Limits Road, Brighton, IL 62012
(618) 372-3162
SHIPMAN ELEMENTARY
Diane Milner, Principal
211 Dora Reno White Street, Shipman, IL 62685
(618) 836-5535
MEDORA INTERMEDIATE
Scott Hopkins, Principal
124 S. Elm Street, Medora, IL, 62063
(618) 729-3231
SOUTHWESTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Scott Hopkins, Principal
8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL, 62079
(618) 729-3217
SOUTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL
Mark Bearley, Principal
Peg Mitchell, Dean of Students
8226 Route 111, Piasa, IL 62079
(618) 729-3211
SOUTHWESTERN
SCHOOL DISTRICT
OUR SCHOOLS
In the Southwestern School District, we take
great pride in providing safe and caring school
environments. We are fortunate to possess a
faculty and staff that take great pride in ensuring
the safety of our students while maximizing their
academic potential. Our school sizes, 200 to 300
students at the elementary and middle school
level, and 500 at the high school level, give
students the opportunity to thrive in a supportive
environment.
BRIGHTON NORTH PRIMARY
SHIPMAN ELEMENTARY
MEDORA INTERMEDIATE
The Pre-K program is open to children who are three to five
years old. The Southwestern Pre-K program received the
Illinois Gold Standards Award for Excellence, the highest
possible rating given to Pre-K programs throughout the
state.
BRIGHTON NORTH PRIMARY
SHIPMAN ELEMENTARY
EXTRACURRICULARS — Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Music, Art, PE, Computers; Library & Accelerated Reader;
PIASA TEAM Parent Club
EXTRACURRICULARS — 3rd & 4th Grade
Music, Art, PE, Computers; Library & Accelerated Reader;
4th Grade Activity Clubs; PIASA TEAM Parent Club
MEDORA INTERMEDIATE
SOUTHWESTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL
SOUTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL
2015 National Blue Ribbon School
EXTRACURRICULARS — 7th & 8th Grade
Band, Chorus, Baseball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys
and Girls Track, Cheerleading, Scholastic Bowl, Student
Council, Volleyball
EXTRACURRICULARS — 9th & 12th Grade
Band/Jazz Band, Chorus, Baseball, Softball, Bowling,
Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Golf, Boys
and Girls Soccer, Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Cross
Country/Track, Drama Club, FFA, FMLA, Football, National
Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl, Student Government,
Trap Shooting, Volleyball, Yearbook, Newspaper
Your children deserve the best teachers; you will
find them in the Southwestern School District
where more than half of the District’s 89
full-time teachers hold a master’s degree or
higher. With an average class size of 19 students,
our teachers provide individualized attention
and make student achievement a top priority,
consistently updating programs and curriculum
to meet the needs of students.
EXTRACURRICULARS — 5th & 6th Grade
Band, Music, Art, PE, Computers; Library & Accelerated
Reader; 5th and 6th Grade Activity Clubs; PIASA TEAM
Parent Club
OUR STUDENTS
Our students have the benefit of a community-wide support system that recognizes their potential both
academically, and in a broad range of extracurricular activities. As a result, they can grow and mature into
well-rounded young adults.
The Southwestern School District offers a strong academic program — including Advanced Placement
(AP)/Honors, Early Start Program (LCCC) and Dual Credit (LCCC) courses that give students the opportunity to earn
enough credits to gain sophomore standing at many college and universities. The District’s fine arts courses are
among the best in the area, and the expansive extracurricular offerings allow students to reach their fullest potential.
More than 80% of our students go on to attend a university, community college or technical school after graduation.