Chagrin Falls Schools is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Wonder Media, an educational animation company led by Terry Thoren, former CEO of Klasky Csupo, the studio behind Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. Through Wonder Media’s innovative Story Maker® process, students across grade levels will engage in creating animated films that bring literacy, creativity, and collaboration to life. This nationally recognized program aligns directly with the district’s mission to prepare students for college, career, and life by equipping them with essential skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
“What excites me about partnering with Wonder Media is how strongly their values align with ours,” said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Penczarski. “This program ties directly to our STEAM initiatives, giving students the chance to bring stories to life, developing characters, writing dialogue, adding music, and producing video. Through this creative process, they’ll build literacy, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for the future.”
Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, students in grades 1-6 will experience storytelling and animation in developmentally aligned ways, from early lessons on persistence and problem-solving, to full-scale animation projects in sixth grade where students script, design, and produce their own short films. A new enrichment club for grades 4-5 will challenge students to connect creativity with leadership, while high school artists and songwriters will contribute original illustrations and music to support their younger peers. This vertical alignment creates a unique learning pipeline that mirrors real-world creative industries and fosters meaningful mentorship between grade levels.
The Wonder Media partnership represents an innovative step forward for Chagrin Falls Schools, blending art, literacy, and technology into a dynamic learning experience. By engaging students in authentic storytelling projects, the district is strengthening literacy, digital fluency, and higher-order thinking while cultivating creativity and student voice. Most importantly, this initiative embodies the district’s commitment to continuous growth and collective accountability, ensuring that every student in the program is inspired to grow and thrive.