Grand Forks Schools Prioritize Teacher Collaboration on Early Release Days

Educators meet in professional learning communities to align curriculum and improve student achievement

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Every other Wednesday, Grand Forks Public Schools release students early to allow teachers to meet in professional learning communities. During these sessions, educators collaborate on teaching practices, align academic standards, and discuss strategies to better support student learning. School leaders say the practice has increased student achievement over the past decade.

Why it matters

The professional learning communities allow teachers across grade levels and subjects to work together, ensuring a cohesive and effective curriculum for students. This collaborative approach is backed by research showing that intentional teacher collaboration leads to improved student outcomes.

The details

On early release days, middle and high school students are dismissed at 1 p.m. instead of the regular 3:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. dismissal times, while elementary students are released at 1:30 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. This schedule change allows all teachers to participate in the professional learning communities, which are led by curriculum leaders who are paid for the additional time. The communities can take different forms, with teachers sometimes grouped by subject across grade levels or by subject and grade level to share best practices and align assessments.

  • Every other Wednesday, Grand Forks Public Schools release students early.
  • Middle and high school students are dismissed at 1 p.m. instead of the regular 3:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. dismissal times.
  • Elementary school students are released at 1:30 p.m. instead of 3 p.m.

The players

Amy Bartsch

The district's chief academic officer, who says the practice was shaped around the research of author and teacher Richard DuFour.

Kris Arason

The principal of Red River High School, who says the value derived from staff members' collaboration time makes up for the loss in classroom time.

Loren Hoheisel

The principal of Viking Elementary, who says there is a "little give and take" in terms of what can be covered in core classes on early release days, but that students benefit when teachers work directly together.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hopefully, when we as teachers meet together, we become better. We become more efficient at what we do. We align our curriculum. We have that guaranteed and viable curriculum, and guaranteeing a viable learning experience for all our students is really what we're shooting for.”

— Kris Arason, Principal, Red River High School

“There's a little give and take, ... But like (Arason) said, when teachers are directly working together, students benefit from that.”

— Loren Hoheisel, Principal, Viking Elementary

The takeaway

By prioritizing collaborative teacher planning and alignment of academic standards, Grand Forks Public Schools are demonstrating a commitment to improving student learning outcomes through a research-backed approach to professional development.