• Category 1

    Selected in 2025

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 450
    Student Enrollment: 75
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 94%
    Hispanic: 2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 1%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:8
    % Reduced Lunch: 45%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1920
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jeff Larson
  • CONTACT:
    201 3rd Street East
    Finley , ND 58230
    701-524-2420
    jeff.larson@finleysharonschool.com
Finley-Sharon Elementary School
Finley , ND
1. What key actions or strategies have been most instrumental to your school’s success?
Our school's success is a result of our teachers and support staff working diligently each day to make all students better. Each day we work to meet the needs of every child. This commitment to each student increases their chances to become the best version of themselves. They feel they can be successful because their education is valued and students feel valued.
2. What significant challenges did your school face during your improvement efforts, and how did you address them?
Our biggest challenge was scheduling. Finding time when current support staff members could work with our struggling students was a key to success. We have a small staff that wear many hats during the day. A strong effort was given to dedicate time for our support staff to work with student interventions.
3. How did professional development contribute to your school’s improvement efforts?
I believe our journey started years ago with multiple professional development activities that all staff participated in. We work with our Regional Education Association to help bring needed PD to all staff. We will continue to work and develop our MTSS process to help identify and provide the needed interventions for our struggling learners.
4. In what ways did family and/or community partnerships support your school’s success?
Our communities of Finley and Sharon are very proud of our students, staff and school community. Our parent teacher conferences are attended at a high rate each year. We are consistently above 95% parent/guardian attendance. When needed, volunteers are never hard to find within our families and community members. The local patrons value education and have always made sure Finley-Sharon Public School is well served by the communities of Finley and Sharon
5. How has ESEA funding (e.g., Title I, II, III) been strategically used to support student achievement?
ESEA funding allows us to continue working to close the achievement gap because we have the qualified staff we need to reach all students. We have a Title I teacher and reading coach who can spend their time working with the individuals and small groups. We have been able to hire additional support staff to help implement needed interventions.
6. What advice would you give to a school just beginning its improvement journey?
Start with your identified key areas and set small goals. Once you meet your goals, celebrate your successes. Data should drive your decisions.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2025

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 450
    Student Enrollment: 75
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 94%
    Hispanic: 2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 1%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:8
    % Reduced Lunch: 45%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1920
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jeff Larson
  • CONTACT:
    201 3rd Street East
    Finley , ND 58230
    701-524-2420
    jeff.larson@finleysharonschool.com