Mission
Sugar Grove Elementary School is a partnership striving to create an interactive and safe learning environment where academic achievement, creativity, and respect is encouraged.
Our History
Sugar Grove Elementary School
The first Sugar Grove School was a two-story brick building in the 3800 block on the north side of Hulman Street. This school was located in the midst of a grove of sugar maples. The school took over all four rooms of the building when the Sugar Grove Church was completed next door. The four room, two story house, known as Sugar Grove School went into session in 1869.
The need for additional classrooms became apparent during the 1920’s, and Harrison Township purchased five acres at 2800 Wallace Avenue and constructed the second Sugar Grove School, which opened in 1926. This school was known for a short time as the William B. McGuirk School. The McGuirk School was named after the township trustee, and was soon renamed Sugar Grove Elementary School following the election of William Risher as Harrison Township Trustee.
During the next sixty years, hundreds of residents in the Sugar Grove area were determined to maintain the positive traditions enjoyed in a friendly neighborhood school. Teachers took a personal interest in each child. Parents and family members were encouraged to visit the school whenever possible. Graduates of Sugar Grove have always described the school as a place where “learning was fun” and where students were made to feel part of the Sugar Grove Family.
In 1988 the third Sugar Grove building opened. The dedication took place on December 12th. Principal James Morris led the dedication along with Superintendent Charles M. Clark. The cost of the new 58,000 square foot building was $5,367,806,00. The new building had a pupil capacity of 450 students in grades K-6. Students, staff, parents, and patrons are committed to preserving the many positive traditions which have been part of the Sugar Grove history.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sugar Grove Elementary School achieves Level 1 certification in Marzano High Reliability Schools
Bloomington, Ind., May 27, 2026 — Sugar Grove Elementary School is pleased to announce the achievement of Level 1 certification in Marzano High Reliability Schools. Level 1 certification means Sugar Grove Elementary School has created a “Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture,” which is the foundation for every level that follows. Without such a culture, student achievement will be compromised. Day-to-day school operations are addressed and evaluated in Level 1.
The high reliability school (HRS) program was created by Marzano Resources to help transform schools into organizations that take proactive steps to ensure student success. Using a research-based five-level hierarchy, along with leading and lagging indicators, educators learn to assess, monitor, and confirm the effectiveness of their schools.
This framework, based on 50 years of educational research, defines five progressive levels of performance that a school must master to become an HRS—where all students learn the content and skills they need for success in college, careers, and beyond.
“As you move through the levels, it represents a complete transformation in how schools are run,” says cofounder and chief academic officer, Dr. Robert J. Marzano.
Schools must collect data and validate their performance to climb each level of the hierarchy. Certification is determined by Marzano Resources analysts in cooperation with school data teams.
Using the HRS framework and indicators, schools can drive sustained, positive, and significant impacts on student achievement by synthesizing multiple complex initiatives into one harmonious system.
About Marzano Resources Built on the foundation of Dr. Robert J. Marzano’s 50 years of education research, Marzano Resources supports teachers and administrators through customizable on-site professional development, educator events, virtual coaching, books, videos and online courses. Our associates and authors are thought leaders in the field of education and deliver research-backed guidance for all major areas of schooling, including curriculum development, instruction, assessment, student engagement and personalized competency-based education.
Contact:
Cassandra Cook, Principal
Sugar Grove Elementary School
2800 Wallace Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803
(812) 462-4416
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