At YLA, we believe in the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Our work is made possible through the combined efforts of parents, educators, volunteers, donors, and community members who invest in the future of Racine’s youth.
YLA is a one-of-a-kind, membership-based program designed to change how young people view themselves and their potential. Our mission is to empower youth with the mindset and tools to thrive in school, in their communities, and throughout life.
Members embark on the three components of the Young Leaders Academy beginning in Kindergarten:
School Achievers: Grades K–5. Takes place in RUSD elementary schools.
Young Achievers: Grades 6–8. Takes place at the George Bray YMCA.
Teen Achievers: Grades 9–12. Takes place at the George Bray YMCA.
In addition to age-specific programming, YLA provides continuous support that grows with each child. As members progress through the Academy, they build academic confidence, develop leadership skills, and gain exposure to positive role models and new opportunities.
As part of the United Way Community School model, YLA also works alongside schools, donors, and community partners to connect families with wraparound resources. This collaborative approach helps address barriers to learning and ensures students are supported both inside and outside the classroom.
YLA is a one-of-a-kind, membership-based program designed to change how young people view themselves and their potential. Our mission is to empower youth with the mindset and tools to thrive in school, in their communities, and throughout life.
Members embark on the three components of the Young Leaders Academy beginning in Kindergarten:
School Achievers: Grades K–5. Takes place in RUSD elementary schools.
Young Achievers: Grades 6–8. Takes place at the George Bray YMCA.
Teen Achievers: Grades 9–12. Takes place at the George Bray YMCA.
In addition to age-specific programming, YLA provides continuous support that grows with each child. As members progress through the Academy, they build academic confidence, develop leadership skills, and gain exposure to positive role models and new opportunities.
As part of the United Way Community School model, YLA also works alongside schools, donors, and community partners to connect families with wraparound resources. This collaborative approach helps address barriers to learning and ensures students are supported both inside and outside the classroom.
September lunch menu
Eat at Panda Express anytime on September 16th and help support THE Knapp Elementary. Let them know you are from Knapp when you place your order, or even order online (anywhere in the nation) and enter code 9003790 in the Fundraiser Code box during checkout! We get 28% of all sales to support our Community Nights.
Students will be allowed in the building at 7:10 am
School Starts at 7:15 am
School dismisses between 2:15 and 2:21 pm
Your student will enter & leave from door:
4K - Door 11
Kindergarten - Door 10
1st Grade - Door 8
2nd & 3rd Grade - Door 1
4th Grade - Door 14
5th Grade - Door 9
School Starts at 7:15 am
School dismisses between 2:15 and 2:21 pm
Your student will enter & leave from door:
4K - Door 11
Kindergarten - Door 10
1st Grade - Door 8
2nd & 3rd Grade - Door 1
4th Grade - Door 14
5th Grade - Door 9
Clipper Nights Save the Date
September 23 - Math Game Night 5:30 - 6:30
October 14 - Carnival 4:30-5:45 & 6:15 - 7:30
November 18 - Fall Event 5:30-6:30
December 9 - Holiday Celebration 5:30-7:00
January 13 - Winter Event 5:30-6:30
February 10 - Celebration of Motown 5:30-7:00
March 24 - Family Game Night 5:30-7:00
April 21 - Spring Event 5:30-6:30
May 12 - Ice Cream Social 5:30-7:00
September 23 - Math Game Night 5:30 - 6:30
October 14 - Carnival 4:30-5:45 & 6:15 - 7:30
November 18 - Fall Event 5:30-6:30
December 9 - Holiday Celebration 5:30-7:00
January 13 - Winter Event 5:30-6:30
February 10 - Celebration of Motown 5:30-7:00
March 24 - Family Game Night 5:30-7:00
April 21 - Spring Event 5:30-6:30
May 12 - Ice Cream Social 5:30-7:00
Student Checkout and Classroom Visit Policy
Please note the following procedures for student checkouts and classroom visits:
Early Checkout:
Students will not be called down to the office until a parent or guardian is physically present to sign them out with a photo ID.
Dismissal Time Policy:
We do not call students down after 2:10 PM, as we are in active dismissal and cannot guarantee we will be able to locate students at that time.
Classroom Visits & Treats:
If you wish to bring in birthday treats or inquire about visiting your child’s classroom, please contact the teacher directly to make arrangements.
WINGS Approval Required:
Parents or guardians may not sit in classrooms unless they are WINGS-approved. This approval must be renewed every school year. You must give the teacher prior notice.
Visitor Protocol:
All guests must be escorted by a principal when visiting classrooms.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and smooth learning environment for all students.
Please note the following procedures for student checkouts and classroom visits:
Early Checkout:
Students will not be called down to the office until a parent or guardian is physically present to sign them out with a photo ID.
Dismissal Time Policy:
We do not call students down after 2:10 PM, as we are in active dismissal and cannot guarantee we will be able to locate students at that time.
Classroom Visits & Treats:
If you wish to bring in birthday treats or inquire about visiting your child’s classroom, please contact the teacher directly to make arrangements.
WINGS Approval Required:
Parents or guardians may not sit in classrooms unless they are WINGS-approved. This approval must be renewed every school year. You must give the teacher prior notice.
Visitor Protocol:
All guests must be escorted by a principal when visiting classrooms.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and smooth learning environment for all students.
To enroll your child in the Clipper Club, simply scan the QR code.
We are counting down the days until our students return to school! Check out these important upcoming dates:
🗓️Aug. 15: 2025-26 schedules and other info released in Infinite Campus Parent Portal
🚌Aug. 25: Last day to update your address to ensure busing on first day of school (changes made after this date may take up to 8 days)
🏫Aug. 28: Open House (check your school’s website for additional information)
🍎Sept. 2: First day of school (Grades 1-12) / Parent Orientation Day (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC)
🍎Sept. 3: First day of school (3K, 4K, 5K PCOC) for students with last names A-L
🍎Sept. 4: First day of school (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) for students with last names M-Z
🍎Sept. 5: All 3K, 4K, 5K and PCOC students attend
Questions? Check out our Back-to-School guide and watch for additional information coming from your child’s school soon!
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¡Estamos en el conteo regresivo para el Regreso a Clases! Dele un vistazo a estas fechas importantes:
🗓️Agto. 15: Las asignaciones de salón y otra información estarán disponibles en el Portal para Padres de Infinite Campus
🚌Agto. 25: Último día para hacer cambios de domicilio y asegurar su transporte para el primer día de clases (cambios hechos después de esta fecha pueden tardar hasta 8 días)
🏫Agto. 28: Visita Escolar/Open House (revise la página web de su escuela para más detalles)
🍎Sept. 2: Primer día de clases (grados 1-12) / Orientación para Padres de 3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC
🍎Sept. 3: Primer día de clases (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) para estudiantes con apellido de A-L
🍎Sept. 4: Primer día de clases (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) para estudiantes con apellido de M-Z
🍎Sept. 5: Todos los niños en (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) asisten
¿Preguntas? ¡Revise esta Guía de Regreso a Clases y esté al pendiente por más información que será enviada por la escuela de su estudiante!
🗓️Aug. 15: 2025-26 schedules and other info released in Infinite Campus Parent Portal
🚌Aug. 25: Last day to update your address to ensure busing on first day of school (changes made after this date may take up to 8 days)
🏫Aug. 28: Open House (check your school’s website for additional information)
🍎Sept. 2: First day of school (Grades 1-12) / Parent Orientation Day (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC)
🍎Sept. 3: First day of school (3K, 4K, 5K PCOC) for students with last names A-L
🍎Sept. 4: First day of school (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) for students with last names M-Z
🍎Sept. 5: All 3K, 4K, 5K and PCOC students attend
Questions? Check out our Back-to-School guide and watch for additional information coming from your child’s school soon!
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¡Estamos en el conteo regresivo para el Regreso a Clases! Dele un vistazo a estas fechas importantes:
🗓️Agto. 15: Las asignaciones de salón y otra información estarán disponibles en el Portal para Padres de Infinite Campus
🚌Agto. 25: Último día para hacer cambios de domicilio y asegurar su transporte para el primer día de clases (cambios hechos después de esta fecha pueden tardar hasta 8 días)
🏫Agto. 28: Visita Escolar/Open House (revise la página web de su escuela para más detalles)
🍎Sept. 2: Primer día de clases (grados 1-12) / Orientación para Padres de 3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC
🍎Sept. 3: Primer día de clases (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) para estudiantes con apellido de A-L
🍎Sept. 4: Primer día de clases (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) para estudiantes con apellido de M-Z
🍎Sept. 5: Todos los niños en (3K, 4K, 5K, PCOC) asisten
¿Preguntas? ¡Revise esta Guía de Regreso a Clases y esté al pendiente por más información que será enviada por la escuela de su estudiante!
"What IS the deal with summer? One minute you're at a barbecue, the next you're buying notebooks like it's some kind of school-supply apocalypse!" 📝🌭
We're halfway through summer, folks. HALF. That means it's time to take a break from pool floats and popsicles and start perusing sales for pocket folders and pencil cases. Find your school's supply list here: rusd.org/supplylists
We're halfway through summer, folks. HALF. That means it's time to take a break from pool floats and popsicles and start perusing sales for pocket folders and pencil cases. Find your school's supply list here: rusd.org/supplylists
Be ready for next school year with the RUSD App. Catch up with the latest student stories, events, and news updates. It's everything RUSD, in your pocket. If you haven't already, download the app! Search for Racine Unified School District in the App Store or on Google Play.
Free. Food. Check out the flyers for details and to find a distribution site near you! 🍎🥪
#YouBelongHere
Polls are open today from 7 AM - 8 PM. If you need help locating your polling place, visit myvote.wi.gov
To learn more about the RUSD Referendum, visit rusd.org/referendum
#YouBelongHere
Tomorrow, the residents of the Racine Unified School District will be asked to vote on a proposed operational referendum that will impact our schools, our students and the entire community. If approved, this referendum will protect class sizes and vital programs, attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff, and invest in the safety and security of our schools. To learn more, visit rusd.org/referendum
A successful referendum will allow RUSD to keep the momentum going for increased state report card scores, climbing reading scores and a graduation rate that's at a 15-year high.
VOTE Tuesday, April 1! #YouBelongHere
Visit the State Street McDonald's on Thursday (3/27) to see some of your favorite teachers from THE Knapp Elementary!
How much would an approved referendum impact your property taxes? Visit rusd.org/calculator to find out. #YouBelongHere VOTE April 1!
The April 1 election is just two weeks away. Visit rusd.org/referendum to review FAQs and voting information. #YouBelongHere VOTE April 1!
Vote April 1! #YouBelonghere
On April 1, residents of the Racine Unified School District will be asked to vote on a proposed operational referendum that will impact our schools, our students and entire community.
Have questions? Get answers at rusd.org/referendum or attend the Referendum Town Hall event, hosted by Racine Interfaith Coalition (716 College Ave.) on Tuesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. #YouBelongHere
