Twin Ports School Recognized for High Academic Achievement

Northern Lights Elementary Receives Award

Northern Lights Elementary school in Superior is receiving a School of Recognition Award for the fourth year in a row.

It’s the only elementary school in Northwestern Wisconsin who has received this award.

The award is for being in the top quarter percentile in math and reading achievement, for schools of similar size and poverty levels.

“It’s an amazing honor and we’re so thrilled to have met that standard again, 5 years out of 6,” said Robyn Deshayes, the Principal of Northern Lights Elementary School.

Around 65 Percent of the Students at Northern Lights Elementary school live at or below the poverty level.

“We’re beating the odds knowing that even though we’re a high poverty school, the student achievement we have at Northern Lights Elementary is in the top 25 percent state wide, for schools in similar poverty and size,” said Deshayes. 

The faculty and Staff of the school say that first and foremost they focus on the well-being of the students, which actually helps them achieve high scores in academics.

“In fact the test scores are the last thing on our mind, it’s making the whole child happy,” said Jess Brozic, a teacher at the school. 

They do this by partnering with local organizations that support children’s mental, social, physical, and emotional health. 

The school also provides educational opportunities outside of the classroom, like catching and studying insects, which keeps students engaged, and helps them connect to the material they are learning.

The bright eyed students prove that those efforts are paying off.