NORTH BRANCH AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
North Branch Area Public Schools ( ISD # 138 ) enrolls approximately 2,700 students and serves an area 176 square miles in size situated in mid-Chisago County and northeastern Isanti County .
North Branch Area Education Center , 38705 Grand Ave ., 651-674-1000 . This site includes the district office , Distance Learning Academy and is the current home of the school district ’ s Early Childhood and Family Education Center , 651- 674-1220 , as well as kindergarten . The center also houses Community Education and School Age Care , 651-674-1025 . Early Learning and Kindergarten are overseen by Director Erica Bjerketvedt . The Distance Learning Academy is overseen by principals David Treichel ( 9-12 ), Kelly Detzler ( 6-8 ), and Taylor Swanson ( K-5 ), 651-674-1055 .
Sunrise River Elementary School , 37775 Grand Ave ., 651-674-1100 . The school serves students in grades 1-5 , and the principal is Taylor Swanson .
North Branch Area Middle School , 38431 Lincoln Trail , 651-674-1300 . Students in grades 6-8 attend the middle school , where they ’ re offered options through a variety of sports , clubs and organizations . Kelly Detzler is the school ’ s principal , and the assistant principal is Matt Lattimore . The middle school houses grades 6-8 as well as the Chisago County School ’ s Life Work Center .
North Branch Area High School , 38175 Grand Ave ., 651-674-1500 . The high school serves students in grades 9 through 12 , offering enrollment in college-level courses and the option of commuting to area colleges for classes . Students can choose to participate in an education-to-work program that is a partnership between the school and local businesses . Clint Link is the school ’ s principal , and Jacob Truby and Amanda Daeger are assistant principals .
The Brooker Building , 38423 Lincoln Trail , houses the Norse Area Learning Center , principal Clint Link , 651-674- 1031 .
Technology : North Branch Area Public Schools takes a proactive stance on integrating technology into the curriculum , with Internet-capable machines and
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a “ 1:1 ” device initiative for all students grades 5-12 . The district ’ s technology director is Darin Marcussen .
Transportation : North Branch Area Public Schools works with 4.0 School Services to safely transport roughly 2,700 students throughout the year on vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art safety equipment . Lonnie Hansen is the department ’ s manager , 651-674-1030 .
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The goal of North Branch Area Public Schools is to have every middle and high school student involved in at least one activity outside of class . Toward that goal , the district has developed quality programs operated by dedicated coaches and advisors who care about the children and their potential . Students find a range of options in everything from athletics to fine arts . NBAPS belongs to the highly competitive Mississippi 8 Conference , and the activities coordinator is Kindra
Helin , 651-674-1514 .
SCHOOL BOARD
Six members comprise the school board , which meets 5:30 p . m . on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in room C120 of the North Branch Area Education Center . Members are elected at large for four-year terms . Current school board members include Shelly Johnson , Sarah Grovender , Tim Mac- Millan , Jesse LaValla , Adam Trampe , and Heather Naegele . Superintendent Sara Paul , 651-674-1012 , serves the board as an ex-officio member .
EARLY-CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION
The ECFE program offers classes for parents raising children that are ages infant to 5 years old , as well as a community preschool and free early-childhood screenings , which are held several times throughout the school year . Families with young children can also take advantage of field trips scheduled and planned by ECFE .
NORTH BRANCH AREA COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The local Community Ed program advises : “ Experience the fun of learning – a lifelong adventure .” It offers many different classes such as academic enrichment ; arts including crafts , music , dance , drama and music ; computer training ; cooking ; health including fitness , open gym , walking club , and exercise classes ; and recreation including sports clinics and camps .
People have fun at the events community education organizes such as the Arts Fest on the Saturday before Thanksgiving , the Thursday-night concerts in the park , senior-citizen fishing days and Sunrise Seniors Story Theater . Community education opportunities enable people to learn something , take up a hobby , meet new friends , keep kids busy and make life more interesting . Contact the community education offices for more information , 651-674-1025 . The director is Erica Bjerketvedt .
School-Age Care is offered to students in grades K-6 in a safe and enriching environment before and after school while parents must work . Children play games , do crafts , learn small cooking tasks and participate in social activities . Information can be found at the district ’ s website : www . isd138 . org . or by calling Community Education at 651-674-1025 .
DISTRICT PHONE NUMBERS
District Office 651-674-1000
District Office / TDD 651-674-1022
North Branch Area Education Center 651-674-1000
Sunrise River Elementary 651-674-1100
Middle School 651-674-1300 High School 651-674-1500 Brooker Bldg . 651-674-1031
Early Childhood Family Education ( ECFE ) 651-674-1220
Community Education 651-674-1025
Transportation 651-674-1030
North Branch / Rush City Community Guide • February 2025