NISSWA — For the first time in 20 years, nearly 30 students will return to Nisswa Elementary School for fifth grade.

In 2005, Brainerd School District fifth graders attended the newly built Forestview Middle School in Baxter. In Nisswa School's case, some fourth graders opt every year to instead move on to Pequot Lakes Middle School.

Over those years, Nisswa School has always heard from families who wanted their children to attend fifth grade in Nisswa. Offering that option also gives the Brainerd School District a way to keep students in their district for as long as possible.

"It's a big commitment by the district to honor parents up here who are still not ready to make decisions as far as next steps," Nisswa School Principal Molly Raske said. "We have the capacity, and our surveys t

See Full Page