News

North Polk becomes only the 8th district in Iowa to receive the prestigious Model PLC recognition

February 28th, 2025

ALLEMAN, IA - The North Polk Community School District has been officially recognized by Solution Tree, one of the nation's leading educational professional development organizations, for its sustained success in raising student achievement, becoming only the 8th district in Iowa to achieve the prestigious Model PLC Distinction.

This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our building staff, teachers, and leaders who work tirelessly to create an environment focused on continuous improvement and collaboration. The district’s success in implementing the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) model has played a pivotal role in enhancing student outcomes across all grade levels.

The PLC framework centers around three big ideas that guide our approach to education:

1. Focus on Learning 
2. Build a Collaborative Culture 
3. Create a Results Orientation 

A Rigorous Selection Process
Achieving this distinction was no easy feat. The process involved an intensive review of the district’s use of the PLC model, including a deep dive into student achievement data, evidence of sustained growth, and the consistent application of the PLC principles across collaborative teams (i.e, Science or 3rd-grade teams) throughout all five buildings in the district. Solution Tree's team conducted a thorough evaluation, reviewing how well North Polk had fostered a collaborative culture, analyzed student progress, and engaged in continuous cycles of improvement.

The journey has been a long and challenging one. Work on the PLC process began in 2018, and similar to enrollment growth, it has flourished over the years. North Polk’s commitment to the PLC model has resulted in measurable improvements in student learning and achievement, earning us national recognition. This acknowledgment is not only a milestone for our district but also reflects the collective effort and dedication of our staff, teachers, and leaders to these core principles, who have established the foundation for this honor. We are excited to keep collaborating to ensure all students thrive.