Rapid City school district leaders say a $900,000 improvement grant for North Middle School will help students achieve proficiency in math and reading levels.
North Middle School is a Title One, focus school. That means its population is made up largely of students from low income families and other subgroups that score low proficiency scores in state assessments.
Principal Jackie Talley says the grant, funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, gives the school a chance to move forward.
Talley says the grant provides funding for targeted after school programs, on site summer school classes and behavior intervention and support training for staff and student’s families.
“I am confident that our staff will embrace all of these new initiatives and to get that active participation it’s through providing high-quality education, motivating active engagement and these things are going to help us do that for our students,” says Talley.
She adds that the grant also funds research to build on teaching strategies. Talley says the ultimate goal for North Middle School is to continue to change the learning culture and climate of the school to benefit students.