The Mequon-Thiensville School District is proud to announce that Steffen Middle School has been selected once again as a National Demonstration School by AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a national, nonprofit college readiness system offered to students of all academic levels in grades K-12. The system is designed to equip students with the necessary intellectual skills and behaviors for academic success in rigorous coursework. AVID empowers students with critical thinking skills to navigate the educational landscape through an explicit focus on high expectations. AVID emphasizes the development and refinement of student competence in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading, or WICOR. Steffen joins approximately 200 other AVID National Demonstration Schools and was selected through an application process, screening, and review, which included a site visit.

The Mequon-Thiensville School District is pleased to announce that Mr. Sam Nadolsky has been selected as the next principal of Steffen Middle School. The MTSD Board of Education approved the appointment at their regular business meeting on Monday, April 22. Mr. Nadolsky will begin in the role this summer, following the retirement of Dr. Deborah Anderson, who has served as the Steffen principal for 22 years. 

Mr. Nadolsky comes to MTSD from the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, where he currently serves as an associate principal at West Milwaukee Intermediate School. Sam has additional experience in the Shorewood School District as an interim principal and seventh-grade math teacher at Shorewood Intermediate School and an Advanced Learning Coordinator (Gifted and Talented) for the district. He holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from UW-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in educational policy and leadership from Marquette University.

Dr. Deborah Anderson, principal of Steffen Middle School in the Mequon-Thiensville School District (MTSD) has announced her intent to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Dr. Anderson’s retirement was approved by the MTSD Board of Education during their regular business meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024. Dr. Anderson has been with the MTSD since July 2002. With 22 years of experience in the role, she holds the distinction of the longest-serving principal of Steffen Middle School.