Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Focuses on Skill Building and Relationship Development

This is a two-part series on the different school districts in Benton County. You can also read about Foley Public Schools and their commitment to supporting the next generation of learners. 

Parents in Benton County, Minnesota, have multiple school districts to choose from for their kids, but one top option is Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. This district supports 4,500 students from Pre-K to 12+ and boasts a low student-to-teacher average ratio of 15:1. The district has three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Together, the teachers, administration, and staff give students the life skills they need to succeed once they graduate.    

“Our staff does a tremendous job building relationships with students,” says Bradley D. Bergstrom, superintendent of Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. “While we’re not a small district, we still have a small-school feel.”

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools is also an asset to local employers. The district’s commitment to career readiness means their future employees are currently growing up in Benton County. Learn more about the programs offered by this school district and how they develop successful students. 

The District Creates a Portrait of a Graduate With Six Attributes

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools is focused on helping students learn core curriculum and other concrete knowledge, but it also recognizes the diverse paths that graduates take once they leave the school system. Not every student needs to master advanced calculus to succeed in their jobs. This is why the district has created a Portrait of a Graduate with six attributes that make students well-rounded. These are:  

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Diverse Thinking
• Empathy 
• Flexibility
• Responsibility

Teachers introduce these skills at the elementary school level and develop authentic opportunities for students to demonstrate what they learned. These skills are further honed until students reach their senior year. It doesn’t matter whether a student enters the manufacturing field or applies for medical school, they will still need to work well with others and communicate clearly.  

“This Portrait of a Graduate will make the community, our region, our country, and the world a better place,” says Bergstrom. He also quotes his dad, who says, “I can teach anyone how to run machinery, but I can’t teach them to work well with other adults.”

The District Works With Business Owners to Identify Key Skills

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools plays an essential role in economic development. The district works carefully with companies to identify their hiring goals and pain points, then adjusts its programs to ensure students are ready to fill those roles.  

“I’d love for students to find careers here, put down roots, stay in the region, and eventually start their own families,” says Bergstrom. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

By creating career-ready graduates, the district can support local industries. By working closely with the school district, businesses can showcase the opportunities available in Benton County. Students won’t feel like they need to move to enter their desired career fields.

“The future of Benton County is found in our schools,” says Amanda Othoudt, Executive Director of the Benton Economic Partnership (BEP). “The district creates students that are desirable to employers and our job is to build a community that makes students want to stay.”  

One way the district has built on its mutual relationship with businesses is by holding an annual career exploration fair at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. More than 100 local businesses participate, and more than 4,200 students attend. This is part of the EPIC: Exploring Potential Interests in Careers program, which is a vibrant community collaboration in Central Minnesota, committed to delivering engaging, hands-on experiences that empower students to explore and navigate diverse career pathways. Students are able to explore career fields they are interested in but are also encouraged to look into other options. This allows them to expand their horizons while challenging perceptions of certain industries. 

Bergstrom uses healthcare as an example. Hospitals need more than doctors and nurses. They also need accountants, administrators, food service experts, and janitors. All skill sets have a place in one career field.  

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Succeeds With Relationship Building

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools maintains its reputation as a “large district with a small-school feel” through relationship-building. Teachers get to know their students and learn about their life aspirations. This can help educators hone skills and find opportunities for students to move forward in their dreams.

“In order for kids to learn, they have to feel like they have a relationship with the people they interact with,” says Bergstrom. “While not perfect, we believe we do a great job with our students.”

The district strives to provide several opportunities for students to get into the community. They attend events at the Chamber, take a variety of electives, participate in apprenticeships, and connect with potential employers through field trips and job fairs. This allows students to gather information on what they might want to do in life while understanding their role in the larger community.  

Learn More About Education in Benton County

Workforce development is a key component of BEP. In addition to working closely with Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools and Foley Public Schools, BEP has higher education partners that support future employees. The local colleges and schools are looking for skills that employees will need today and in the years to come. This will help them succeed no matter how technology changes various career paths. 

Learn more about Benton County and the people who live and work here. Your business – and your employees – can thrive here.