When Sandy Slope Elementary School opens in the fall of 2025 on the north side of Appleton, it will be our first new school in 30 years and our first new elementary school in nearly 35 years.

Our district places immense value on neighborhood elementary schools, and we are thrilled to add a school to this part of our community.

Twenty-four years ago, the AASD acquired a 42-acre parcel of land from Rich and Alice Van Handel near Appleton North High School. This forward-thinking move by our district was in anticipation of the growth we now witness in the northeastern part of our district. They envisioned the need for an elementary school on this land to accommodate the expanding community.

This area once had a small, rural school called Sandy Slope, and the Van Handel’s farm was also known as Sandy Slope Farm. To honor the farm's history, the Van Handel farm’s silo will be preserved as a part of the new school campus.

Meet the Principal

Joe Bernhardt was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education: Elementary/ Middle (1-8), Minor in Mathematics (1-9). He also earned a Masters of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership from Marian University.

Bernhardt began his career teaching algebra and general math at Oak Creek High School before moving on to Lincoln Elementary School in the School District of Cudahy. Upon moving to Appleton, he taught math and science at Seymour Middle School, as well as coached the middle school wrestling team before moving into the role of Instructional Support Specialist/Dean of Students. For 11 years, he served as the Associate Principal and Activities Director at Einstein Middle School. While at Einstein, he was blessed to have both of his sons attend.

He’s happily married to his wife Molly. His son Alex graduated from Appleton North and attends UW-Oshkosh while his younger son, Mason attends Appleton North. He enjoys watching the Brewers, Packers (even though he is a 49ers fan), Badgers, and North Lightning games with his family. He also enjoys playing pickleball, working out in the martial arts, golf, and spending time on the boat up north.

Bernhardt is honored to be the principal of Sandy Slope and looks forward to serving the Sandy Slope Community while establishing an environment that promotes success for every student, every day, which will have a lasting impact on the North Community.