Dr. Shannon Young reflects on 21 years as New Horizon's Charter School prepares to close

Dr. Shannon Young addressed the Wausau School District Board of Education on March 9 as the district’s Excellence in Action segment highlighted her 21 years of service and the winding down of New Horizon's Charter School at the end of the school year. Young traced the program’s origin—initial planning in a back room and a first year in a district‑owned house—through its expansion from a 7–8 program into separate middle and high school programs, and recalled the program’s focus on small settings, restorative circles and community partnerships.

“She emphasized that the diploma is a starting point and that smaller settings helped students find belonging, ownership and preparation for life after high school,” board members said in thanking Young for her leadership. Young noted milestones including graduating classes (presenters cited 196 graduates anticipated this year and the largest class of 20 in 2023) and credited community partners for murals and family‑engagement activities.

Board members thanked Young for her commitment; the superintendent and others recognized her work as the program sunsets and wished her well. The board then moved on to other business.