The Innovation School

Failure isn’t the opposite of learning—it’s part of it.

At The Innovation School, we want students to feel safe taking risks, making mistakes, and trying again. Some of the best learning happens when things don’t work the first time.

Check out our latest article on an idea we care deeply about at The Innovation School: failure IS learning.

Getting Good at Failure Failure isn’t the opposite of learning. Our schools can help students use failure to become resilient, creative, and innovative lifelong learners.

For anyone attending the North Dakota Personalized Learning Network conference in a few weeks, be sure to check out Kelsy Achtenberg and Sophia Kor’s session, “Centering Students: Actionable Insights from a Modern Classroom.”

We’re excited about all this conference has to offer around personalized learning — something that is truly at the center of what we do every day at The Innovation School. 💡🎉

📅 June 10, 2026
⏰ 3:30–4:20 PM

https://www.ndplnetwork.org/event-details/nd-personalized-learning-institute-26-1

It was another wonderful year at The Innovation School! Thank you to our amazing community for supporting and being part of such a special place. We hope you all have a fun, relaxing, and memory-filled summer! ☀️

Today was our annual Arc Expo! This special showcase gives students the opportunity to display projects that highlight what they’ve learned and how they’ve grown throughout the year.

One of the best parts is that each student gets to create and present their project in their own unique way, allowing their personality, interests, and creativity to shine.

From stop motion videos, puppet shows, and a froyo bar to so many other creative ideas, our students truly amazed us today. We are so proud of all the hard work, growth, and confidence they showed!

We are incredibly grateful to Lead4Change: Student Leadership Program for awarding The Innovation School a $500 grant for our “Community Connectors” project with Good Samaritan Society - Marillac Manor! 💙

Through monthly visits, our students spend time with residents through games, crafts, conversations, and special activities while building meaningful intergenerational connections.

This grant will help us continue and expand the project next year with even more engaging activities and experiences. We are so proud of these students for leading with kindness, compassion, and community spirit!

At TIS, we participate in the National Math Challenge program. This optional opportunity is available to all students K–8 and focuses on solving challenging word problems that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills in math.

Throughout the year, students can complete 15 different math challenges. Any student who completed at least 12 out of the 15 earned an end-of-year prize…Fizzily - Custom Sodas & Gourmet Popcorn! We are so proud of the students who pushed themselves to take on these extra challenges throughout the year! 🧠➕🎉

Earlier this week, we celebrated our annual Water Day at McDowell Dam! We grilled hotdogs, played in the sand and water, explored the park, and soaked up the beautiful weather together. These simple traditions always end up becoming some of the best memories. ☀️🌊🌭

Our students set a goal to raise $500 for the Alberta Heights Fire Relief Fund… and together, our community raised $518! ❤️

Two of our older students helped lead the project, but it truly became an all-school effort.

Students researched where the funds could make the biggest impact and chose the North Dakota Community Foundation because 100% of the proceeds go directly to the families affected.

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the Alberta Heights fire. Thank you, TIS families and community, for your generosity and support.

This week, our students presented their Capstones — projects that reflect their growth, passions, and who they are becoming.

Capstones are an especially meaningful tradition for our 5th graders as they transition to middle school and for our 8th graders as they prepare to leave TIS and begin high school. We are so proud of the confidence and heart each student brought to their presentation. 💙

Last night was our community potluck, and it was such a special evening together. Nine years ago, our very first and oldest class started at The Innovation School as 4th graders. This year, they will graduate as seniors, and it was so great having some of these young men back with us last night.

We loved welcoming current families, new families, alumni, and graduating seniors all in one space. Nights like these are such a powerful reminder of the community that has grown alongside our school over the years. 💜