Schroeder Middle School in Grand Forks has been named a 2024 Blue Ribbon School by the state of North Dakota, an honor recognizing its exceptional academic performance and supportive learning environment. The school is one of only three in the state to receive the distinction this year.
Key Takeaways
- Schroeder Middle School was named a Blue Ribbon School, one of three in North Dakota for 2024.
- Students significantly outperformed state averages in English, math, and science on standardized tests.
- Principal David Nowatzki credits a collaborative culture, dedicated staff, and supportive families for the school's success.
- Programs like enriched courses and a dedicated relationship-building period, "Raider Time," are central to the school's strategy.
State-Level Recognition for Excellence
The announcement was made on Friday, September 5, by State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which has honored high-achieving schools since 1982, recently shifted responsibility for the awards from the U.S. Department of Education to individual state agencies.
Principal David Nowatzki said the award serves as validation for the consistent effort put forth by everyone at the school. “It's a cherry on the top of the work that we do here at the school,” he stated. “We've got dedicated students, an incredibly hard working staff. We've got a really supportive community of parents and guardians.”
The other two North Dakota schools receiving the award this year are Burlington-Des Lacs Elementary School in Burlington and Northern Cass Public School in Hunter.
About the Blue Ribbon Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982 to identify and recognize outstanding public and private schools across the United States. While traditionally managed at the federal level, the recent change empowers states to highlight schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement or significant progress in closing achievement gaps.
Performance Data Highlights Academic Strength
A key factor in Schroeder's selection was its students' performance on the North Dakota Student Assessments (NDSA). The school's proficiency rates in core subjects were substantially higher than the statewide averages for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Nowatzki acknowledged the importance of these scores, explaining that the staff works to create a positive testing environment. “We get them pumped up to take the test and get them in the right mindset for just taking it as seriously as they can and doing their best,” he said. “We want it to be an accurate reflection of what they've learned.”
Schroeder's 2023-2024 NDSA Scores vs. State Average
- English Language Arts (ELA): 61% of Schroeder students were proficient or advanced, compared to the state average of 45%.
- Math: 53% of Schroeder students achieved proficiency or advanced levels, while the state average was 40%.
- Science: Between 55% and 63% of Schroeder students were proficient or advanced, significantly above the state average of 45%.
Advanced Curriculum and Student Support
Beyond general instruction, Schroeder Middle School provides opportunities for students to engage with material above their grade level through enriched math and science courses. Nowatzki confirmed these programs “without a doubt” contributed to the high test scores.
He noted that this advanced track allows some students to achieve significant milestones before entering high school. “By the time (some students are) in eighth grade, they're taking algebra one for high school credit,” he explained. “And so we have some students in those categories and they would definitely perform well on the NDSA.”
Building a Foundation of Trust and Growth
While academic metrics are important, Principal Nowatzki emphasized that the school’s culture is built on a foundation of strong relationships. He pointed to a daily 28-minute period called Raider Time as a cornerstone of this philosophy.
During this advisor-advisee period, students connect with teachers and peers through structured activities designed to build community and trust.
“We really focus on building relationships at Schroeder. We collectively as a staff agree that you have to have a lot of trust and a positive relationship with not only the student, but the families, before any kind of significant learning can take place.”
This focus extends to a school-wide commitment to a growth mindset. Nowatzki described this as an environment where both students and staff feel secure enough to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. “We take chances, we make mistakes,” he said. “You learn from those mistakes. And adults do that in our building just as much as students do.”
Investing in Professional Development
Supporting student success also means supporting the educators. Schroeder dedicates time every Wednesday for in-house professional development sessions for its staff. This protected time allows teachers to collaborate on lesson plans, develop student activities, or meet with parents.
According to Nowatzki, every decision made by the staff is filtered through one guiding question: “Is this the best thing for our students?” This student-centered approach ensures that all efforts are aligned with the ultimate goal of serving the school community effectively.
“We always are pretty confident that we're going to be serving kids and their families as best we can,” he concluded.