Big News for Small Schools: Crosby, North Dakota Celebrates Nearly $1 Million Literacy Grant!

Ask anyone that has graduated from a smaller school, and they will all agree that there’s something special about these schools scattered across North Dakota—and really, throughout the entire country. Having spent my early school years in Williston before finishing high school in Grenora (go Gophers!), I can personally speak about the charm and tight-knit community that small schools offer. It always does my heart good to see any of these schools succeed, and recently, one of them received some prestty exciting news!

Divide County School Gets Literacy Grant

The Divide County School District made an announcement just the other day on their Facebook page that they had received the NDCLIMBS reading Grant, which would provide them with an incredible $925,000 to support and enhance reading instruction over the following five years. It's worth celebrating that almost a million dollars has been devoted to assisting youngsters in developing their reading abilities!

Grant Dollars Are Much More Than Money

This award really improves things for Crosby teachers and students. It will ensure every child receives good, research-based literacy support, boost teacher professional development, and provide early literacy instruction tools. Seeing a child's eyes light up when they learn a difficult word may help you understand how important this investment really is.

It's Not Just About Reading

The commitment required to obtain this grant is what makes it even more noteworthy. Understanding the potential long-term effects on student achievement, the district's leadership, including the superintendent and principals, put forth a great deal of effort to make this happen. Since literacy is the cornerstone of education, this funding will help make sure Divide County students have the resources they need to thrive in both school and life.

Smaller schools may not always make it to the biggest headlines, but they make a massive difference in the lives of their students. It’s nice to see resources like this being offered, and then funneled into communities that will use them. Hats off to Divide County School District—here’s to five years of stronger literacy, empowered students, and a future filled with a lot of reading!