NTPS provides more space for Boys & Girls Clubs

Meeting the need for more space and a growing demand for out-of-school programming for youth just got a little easier, thanks to an expanded partnership between NTPS and the Lacey branch of Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County. The new agreement allows BGCTC to lease space at the Rajinder S. Manhas Activity Center (RMAC), for summer programming. Read more >>

NTPS qualifies for $1.65 million in Safety Net

North Thurston Public Schools has been preliminarily awarded approximately $1.6 million reimbursement for expenses related to student programs connected to Special Education. Read more >>

Key Communicator: Traci Birbeck

Our latest Key Communicator is Traci Birbeck, from Technology Services. Traci, a veteran teacher in our district, moved to Technology Services to be our Technology Integration Specialist. Read more >>

North Thurston Public Schools issues first round of bonds at lower than expected borrowing costs

North Thurston Public Schools successfully executed a public sale of $99,440,000 of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds. This sale represents the first portion of a total $275.2 million authorization approved by district residents at the February 11, 2020 special election. Read the whole story >>

Lacey Elementary School receives Award

Two NTPS High Schools Rank in U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools (5/26/20)

North Thurston and Timberline High Schools recently earned honors in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best High Schools rankings! The prestigious ranking is given to the top 40 percent of high schools in the nation and is based on a variety of data including student demographics, graduation rates, and college readiness, results of state assessments, as well as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. Read more >>

Bond credit rating indicate confidence in NTPS (5/22/20)

NTPS has received strong credit ratings from two notable investor services for the upcoming bond sales on June 2. “It shows our investors have faith in our community and school system," says Teena Barnes, Executive Director of Accounting/Financial Services. Read more >>

NTPS receives $20,000 grant to support homeless youth (5/19/20)

The district was recently awarded $20,000 from the Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund. The funds will be used for a wide variety of supports, ranging from rental assistance to medical needs. Read more >>

Elementary Science has a Key Communicator (5/19/20)

This month Elementary Science Instructional & Integration Specialist, Jana Brock, was recognized for going above and beyond in communicating the importance of STEM and field studies for our students. Read more>>

Going green: NTPS to receive three electric school busses (4/30/20)

North Thurston Public Schools will receive 3 new electric school busses thanks to grants from the Washington State Department of Ecology. It’s one of the largest investments in zero-emission school buses in the country. Read more >>

State Recognizes 3 NTPS Schools (4/29/20)

Congrats to Evergreen Forest Elementary, Nisqually Middle School, and Salish Middle School for being recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program for growth and closing opportunity gaps in 2018-19. Read more >>

Komachin FBLA dives into virtual competition (4/24/20)

Even though school buildings are closed, problem-solving and activities are still buzzing with Komachin Middle School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students! Their officers have been crazy busy prepping for their Virtual State Business Leadership Conference that started April 15 and runs for 30 days. They have 17 competitors in over 56 events! Keep reading >>

North Thurston tiny houses project promotes trade skills, problem solving (4/24/20)

At North Thurston High School students in Tim Marshall’s Construction Skills class have taken on an architectural and social movement designed to advocate for simple living, leave a smaller environmental footprint, and provide future housing in their community. Yes, the construction of “tiny houses” has arrived not just on HGTV but in the classroom. Read the story >>

Black History Month: NTHS celebrates through poetry, posters, and a quilt (2/24/20)

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in the U.S. History. Each February, citizens nationwide take part in different acts of recognition, including students and staff from North Thurston Public Schools. Students from North Thurston High School in particular took action by creating posters, studying slam poetry, and initiating a multi-layered program to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Read more >>

New Director of Transportation at NTPS (2/18/20)

NTPS is excited to announce that Deanna Maddox has been selected to serve as the new Director of Transportation. Deanna has served already as a driver (started driving a bus at the age of 21), dispatcher, and Assistant Director since joining the NTPS team. Outside of NTPS she serves as the President of the Capital Chapter of the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation (WAPT). Congratulations Deanna!

Mike Smith honored for communication (2/11/20)

River Ridge Assistant Principal Mike Smith was recently given the traveling “Key Communicator” trophy by the Community Relations Department. "Mike has led the effort at River Ridge in building relationships with the Nisqually Indian Tribe both for professional development and student programs. He’s been great at telling that story to the larger community and inspiring other school districts to do the same,” said Courtney Schrieve, Executive Director of Public Relations for NTPS." Read more >>

NTPS leaders honored for attendance, graduation, and partnerships (1/30/20)

The district held their semi-annual leadership awards recently at ESD 113 in an effort to recognize the initiative and accountability of principals and other administrators and their staff. “Our leadership works tirelessly on behalf of our schools every day to help implement our Strategic Plan goals and promote student success,” said Supt. Debra Clemens. Read more >>

Key Communicators in Financial Services (1/13/20)

Congratulations to the Financial Services Payroll Team for their excellent job moving over all employees to the new benefits system. It took serious communications skills, which is why they are being honored as the latest NTPS Key Communicators! Read more >>

Graduation rates at all-time high (12/3/19)

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) students have achieved an all-time high four-year graduation rate of 88% for the Class of 2019, five percentage points above the state! Timberline High School has the highest rate in the district at 95%! Read more >>

Student Records has a Key Communicator (12/2/19)

December 2, 2019 - Congratulations to Teresa Ahlf, Student Records Supervisor, who oversees everything from new student registrations to data management and staff training, for being honored with the Key Communicator award for her communications plan and efforts to streamline the registration and enrollment process. Great work Teresa!

NTPS & Nisqually Tribe Collaborate on Land Acknowledgement (11/26/19)

November 26, 2019 - In honor of Native American Heritage Month, and in recognition of our ongoing partnership with the Nisqually Tribe, North Thurston Public Schools has formally approved a land acknowledgement to be read at future public events. Our schools will also display the Nisqually Tribal Flag at every district site. As part of the flag display, every school will engage in a lesson developed in partnership with the Nisqually Tribe and North Thurston School District staff. Read more!

CTE - a hands-on approach to learning (11/15/19)

November 15, 2019 - When most people think of a typical school day, a setting is thought of- students sitting at their desks taking notes while the teacher lectures with a guided powerpoint. CTE classes completely disregard this stigma. Whether it is operating a power saw, video camera, or cash register, the typical day in a CTE class is much different than the average class.

New Auxiliary Gym at River Ridge High School Up and Running for All Sports (10/15/19)

October 15, 2019 - The much-awaited Auxiliary Gym at River Ridge is now in use since the September grand opening. This 2014 bond project is now a staple to the appearance of the Ridge campus, helping nudge them one step closer to a full-campus modernization.