Home of the Paladins!
In my thirteenth year as principal of Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, our focus continues to be on student learning, social/emotional well-being, and continued and sustained progress. As a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award Recipient, the staff at Sundling strives to create and implement a caring and supportive learning environment to prepare our seventh and eighth grade students to be well-rounded and global citizens within our community for high school and beyond. We are committed to providing a learning environment that truly meets our mission statement: Walter R. Sundling Junior High, in partnership with the community, dedicates itself to challenge and inspire all students toward academic excellence while fostering positive social development and mutual respect in an ever-changing global society.
One of the key components to our overall success is that we act as “Partners in Learning.” We believe that producing world-class learners requires sincere dedication from our teachers, support staff, parents, community members, and, of course, our students. It is critical that all stakeholders work collaboratively and communicate effectively to help our students to grow and succeed during their junior high experience.
At Walter R. Sundling, we teach not only content—the relevant factual information—but also process so that our students learn how to apply the knowledge that has been gained and perseverance, so that our students can work through issues/problems and find solutions. We support our basic academic programs with an enrichment program which provides our students with exposure to courses based upon their particular interests. Enrichment Options include courses in fine arts, practical arts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), and foreign languages (Spanish and French).
At Sundling, we also understand the importance of providing students opportunities to get involved during their junior high years. Along with our strong focus on academic achievement, we have worked to provide balance by providing a wide variety of extracurricular activities. These activities include more than a dozen special interest clubs, intramurals, interscholastic athletics, music, chorus, and much more. Some of our activities may include; Homework Club, World Language Club, Service Club, Marketing Club, Yoga, Yearbook Club, Newspaper Club and Crafting Club to name a few.
Walter R. Sundling welcomes parent involvement. Our PTA provides a variety of important resources and additional support to our students and staff throughout the school year. As a parent, please consider becoming a part of your junior high student’s education by joining and supporting the Sundling PTA.
We strive to foster a positive school atmosphere based on the PBIS Matrix of three basic principles; Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be Safe! Sundling is a school where students are encouraged to RESPECT themselves, RESPECT others, and RESPECT their school and community. Our school motto: "Pledge to the Paladin" helps to promote a positive school culture and climate. Through these principles and continued student involvement in this area, we hope to promote self-advocating, self-motivated, and life-long learners that will be prepared and ready to contribute to an ever-changing world.
“It’s a Great Day to be a Paladin!!” #IAGDTBAP
—Jason A. Dietz, Principal
#sundlingstrong #strongertogether #stronger4ever #iagdtbap
Walter R. Sundling Junior High School was one of 80 schools nationwide to be awarded the 2022 SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its commitment to music education, awarded as part of the Best Communities for Music Education program, for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children.
