Northern Lights Community

School (NLCS) is a free 6-12 pub-

lic charter school. We are a small,

accepting learning community

with a focus on environmental,

project-based learning. NLCS

students drive their education

through authentic, hands-on pro-

jects.

Each student at NLCS is treated as a unique individual

with tremendous talent. Student voice and interests are at

the center of all educational decisions. The school goal is to

provide learning opportunities for students working at all

levels of academic achievement, who are looking for a

smaller, more personalized learning environment. NLCS

academics have real-world applications and promote pas-

sion for learning.

Northern Lights Community School is a place where au-

thentic learning projects are at the core. During the 2015-16

school year, students designed and installed a hydroponics

system for the greenhouse, artistically crafted Native

American clothing and held a fashion show, wrote and

directed a murder/mystery dinner theater performance,

and participated in many more activities. All NLCS pro-

jects are aligned to the Minnesota State Standards.

The NLCS curriculum contains teacher-led projects, small

group math and reading instruction, and block-long semi-

nars that focus on specific Minnesota Key Content learning

targets. NLCS learning targets and skills are mapped by the

staff through seminars and projects to ensure all content is

addressed. Student learning happens inside and outside of

the classroom walls. Students participate in field studies,

job shadowing, service learning projects, and outdoor rec-

reation.

Each student has a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). They

complete projects based on their interests and document

work in their learning portfolios. Graduation requirements

are aligned to state academic standards.

Who We Are:

2015-16

November 2016

Annual Report Summary 2015-16

Mission:

Northern Lights Community School will create a safe, small and enthusiastic learning

community in which all students are known well, taught as individuals, and encouraged

to be good stewards of our environment.

100% of parents agreed or strongly

agreed that NLCS is the best

school their sons or daughters

have attended.

95% of students agreed or strongly

agreed that they are learning more

at NLCS than at other schools they

have previously attended.

Survey says! —>>>

Northern Lights Community School believes every student is a unique individual. NLCS holds high expecta-

tions for every student. NLCS is an institution whose rigor lies within consistent academic growth. Students

are expected to demonstrate growth from fall to spring each academic year, and from one year to the next.

Growth Over Proficiency

Annual Report Summary 2015-16

Career/College Readiness

100% of NLCS students demonstrated proficiency in the area of

career/college readiness by completing a career and college preparatory

seminar. Every NLCS student starting in 9th grade begins a robust transition

plan. Every student leaves NLCS with a plan to either attend college, trade

school, or enter directly into the workforce. Each student is measured on aca-

demics as well as essential life skills that ensure productive 21st century citi-

zens.

Writing

100% of NLCS students demonstrated proficiency in the area of

writing using the WiLATA scoring rubric. NLCS emphasizes purposeful

and creative writing. NLCS students write essays, reflections, poetry, and re-

ports as parts of their projects.

Reading

72% of NLCS high school students (9-12) demonstrated growth

in the area of reading as measured by the Northwest Evaluation Associa-

tion (NWEA) MAP Reading Test. NLCS has students spend at least forty-five

minutes every day of uninterrupted reading time. NLCS students work with

their advisors to ensure they are gaining essential reading scores.

Math

77% of NLCS middle school students (6-8) demonstrated growth

in the area of mathematics as measured by the NWEA MAP Math Test.

Each student has their own personalized online math class that is directly

aligned to the State of Minnesota Standards. NLCS focuses on the growth of

each student.

Environmental Education

98% of students were proficient (80% or better) in the area of en-

vironmental literacy by the end of the school year as measured by the

NLCS environmental science test. Environmental education is interwoven

throughout the curriculum.

Parent Satisfaction

Student Satisfaction

Annual Report Summary 2015-16

Surveys of parents and students indicate high levels of satisfaction with NLCS. For some students who have

not succeeded in other public schools, NLCS offers a new environment in which to do well.

100% of parents agreed or

strongly agreed that NLCS

is the best school their sons

or daughters have attended.

100% of parents agreed or

strongly agreed that their

child is safer at NLCS than at

other schools he or she has

attended in the past.

100% of parents agreed or

strongly agreed that learning

through projects at NLCS pre-

pares their son or daughter for

“the real world.”

99% of students agreed or

strongly agreed that they get

the help they need when

they ask for it.

95% of students agreed or

strongly agreed that they are

learning more at NLCS than

at others schools they have

previously attended.

96% of students agreed or

strongly agreed that their

advisor really cares about

them.

World’s Best Workforce Essential Life Skills Community Service

Every student is required to partici-

pate in 25 hours of community service

each school year. It is important that

NLCS students learn to be stewards of

their communities.

Community service activities include

volunteering at nursing homes, high-

way clean-up, packing food at the food

bank, bagging groceries, raking lawns,

and much more.

Students at NLCS work on developing

essential life skills as well as academics.

The eight life skills we focus on are:

Accountability

Character/Citizenship

Problem Solving/

Resourcefulness

Technology

Communicating/

Collaborating

Goal-minded/Motivated

Creativity/Innovation

Adaptability/Resilience

The World’s Best Workforce Bill was

passed by the Minnesota legislature in

2013 to ensure that every school district

in MN is working to increase student

performance in regard to readiness for

post-secondary education and/or the

workplace.

Northern Lights Community School is

dedicated to the WBWF goals of closing

all racial and economic achievement

gaps between students, ensuring all

students graduate from high school,

and make certain that all students are

ready for careers and college.

Northern Lights Community School has six goals for every student:

1. Every student will be treated as a unique individual and have a person-

alized learning plan.

2. Every student will be ensured a safe, family-oriented learning environ-

ment that focuses on continual growth.

3. Every student will learn to be an environmental steward and service-

oriented citizen.

4. Every student will acquire essential life skills to ensure success in the

21st Century.

5. Every student will learn through authentic hands-on projects.

6. Every student will have autonomy over her or his education as they

drive toward mastery.

School Authorizer

The future needs a different kind of student!

Visit us on the Web!

www.nlcschool.org

Annual Report Summary 2015-16

Northern Lights Community School has been authorized by the Audubon Center of the North Woods

(ACNW) since summer 2011. The current contract runs through the 2016-17 school year. NLCS is currently

applying for reauthorization by ACNW.

The authorizing mission of ACNW is to ensure quality academic and environmental literacy outcomes for

students in Minnesota by conducting effective oversight and evaluation of its authorized schools, providing

strategic support to schools, and making informed and merit-based decisions about its portfolio of charter

schools.

The authorizing vision of ACNW is to authorize a portfolio of high performing

charter schools that instill a connection and commitment to the environment in

their school communities while working toward a healthy planet where all peo-

ple live in balance with the earth.

Audubon Center of the North Woods

Charter School Division

43 Main Street SE, Suite 507

Minneapolis, MN 55414

Phone: 612-331-4181

www.auduboncharterschools.org

David Greenberg - Director

greenberg@auduboncharterschools.org.

Northern Lights Community School

P.O. Box 2829

305 Bridge Street

Warba, MN 55793

Office: 218-492-4400

Fax: 218-492-4402

Toll Free: 1-877-246-6548

Mike D. Hamernick—Director

mike.hamernick@nlcschool.org