Duluth Public Schools

04/03/2026

🎓 Duluth Public Schools Celebrates Major Graduation Gains! 🎓

Big news for our community! The 2025 graduation data is in, and we are incredibly proud of the progress our students are making toward their futures!

Denfeld High School is making massive waves with a 7.85% overall increase in graduation rates bring the graduation rate to 84.77%! We are seeing double-digit gains for several student groups, including:
✨Homeless students: +28.21%
✨Students of two or more races: +14.91%
✨Free/reduced meal students: +11.92%
✨American Indian students: +11.57%

Over at East High School, the tradition of excellence continues with an overall increase to 95.9%! East also saw gains for students eligible for free/reduced meals (+2.76%) and white students (+0.98%).

Across the entire district, our four-year graduation rate rose by 1.24%! This success is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our Duluth families.

As Superintendent John Magas said, these results show that Duluth Public Schools are on the rise! 📈✨

Read the full story on our website! 🔗 https://trst.in/SCjWKJ

Duluth Public Schools is celebrating significant progress in graduation rates at Denfeld High School, which saw an increase of 7.85% overall. ​​​​​​​

03/31/2026

March is Music in Our Schools Month, and Duluth Public Schools has been alive with the sound of music! 🎶

Throughout the month, we’ve been celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of our student musicians. We were especially proud to welcome several groups to perform live during our School Board meetings, showcasing the high-quality music education happening at every level of our district.

A huge round of applause to the students from:
🎻Denfeld High School
🎤Ordean East Middle School
🥁Laura MacArthur Elementary School

Thank you to our dedicated music educators for inspiring our students and to our board members for supporting the arts in our schools. Music truly is the heartbeat of our community!

03/25/2026

Tonight, we are bursting with pride as we recognized, at the School Board meeting, an outstanding freshman from Denfeld High School: Cadel Pohl!

Cadel has had a monumental year, proving that hard work pays off both in the classroom and on the trails. Check out these highlights:

Dual State Qualifier: Cadel qualified for the State Tournament in BOTH Cross Country and Nordic Skiing this year! She is looking to continue that streak this spring in Track and Field.🏃‍♀️

Award Winner: A member of the Red Lake Nation Band, Cadel was recently named the Female Student Athlete of the Year by the Minnesota Indian Education Association (MIEA). 🏆

Academic Excellence: On top of her athletic schedule, she maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. 📚

Cadel, your leadership and determination are an inspiration to us all. We can't wait to see what the next three years have in store for you!

Please join us in the comments by congratulating Cadel on her phenomenal success! 👏

03/24/2026

2026-27 Budget Update 📊

Duluth Public Schools is working to close a $4 million budget gap caused by rising costs and unfunded mandates. After months of data review and stakeholder feedback, we’ve finalized a $4.2 million reduction plan designed to prioritize fiscal responsibility.

The Breakdown:
🔹District Level: 15.6% reduction
🔹 Middle & High Schools: 5.8% reduction
🔹 Elementary Schools: 4.1% reduction

How were these decisions made?
✅ Community feedback from our recent ThoughtExchange
✅ Enrollment and registration data
✅ Input from staff, principals, and the School Board

We are committed to transparency. You can read more details, ThoughtExchange results, and a one-page overview at the link below.

🔗 Read the full update: https://trst.in/gs8tFY

📍 Join us for the School Board Meeting: tonight, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office.
▶️ Stream live on our YouTube Page: youtube.com//streams

Duluth Public Schools has finalized a plan to address a $4 million budget gap for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. While rising costs for supplies, insurance, and specialized services have outpaced state and federal funding, our district remains committed to fiscal responsibility while keeping st...

03/21/2026

From the halls of Lester Park Elementary to the Olympic podium! 🌟

A huge thank you to Olympic silver medalists Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin for visiting Lester Park Elementary School. Our students loved learning about the sport of curling and what it takes to reach the Olympic stage. Fun fact: Cory is a former Lester Park Lab herself!

03/20/2026

Congratulations to Principal Glockle! 🎉

This is well deserved and we couldn't be prouder! 🥰

The Area Learning Center in Duluth may serve some of the district’s most diverse and unconventional learners, but students say it’s the principal — Nathan Glockle — who makes the building feel like home.Glockle, known for a leadership style rooted in empathy, courage and compassion, has been...

03/17/2026

📢 Join Our American Indian Parent Advisory Committee Meeting!

Help shape American Indian Education in our District! Your voice helps us guide programs, strengthen culture, and advocate for students.

📆 April 8, 2026
🕒 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Denfeld High School, Room #1206

✅ Guide Programs
✅ Strengthen Culture
✅ Connect with Community

Questions?
📞 218-336-8700 Ext. 1034
🌐 Details: isd709.org/academics/american-indian-education 🍓

03/15/2026

🌟 Support Unity In Our Community 2026! 🌟

Our favorite back-to-school tradition is returning to Bayfront Festival Park on Monday, August 24, but we need your help to make it happen!

Unity In Our Community is a true grassroots effort. It costs approximately $16,000 each year to provide this day of food, school supplies, performances, and family fun. This event is funded entirely through the generosity of our local businesses and neighbors like you.

Whether you are a local business owner or a resident who loves our schools, your donation stays right here in Duluth to support our students and families.

💰 How You Can Help:

Donate Online: Quick and secure via Boost My School by visiting www.boostmyschool.com/duluthpublicschools

Donate by Mail: Checks can be made out to Duluth Public Schools (please write "Unity In Our Community" in the memo line).

Every dollar brings us closer to our goal of bringing the city together as one district and one community. Thank you for your continued support!

If you want to donate to Duluth Public Schools, one of its program or school to support our students in anyway, you can…

03/14/2026

Kelly Education is a proud partner of Duluth Public Schools! We’re excited to welcome caring, community-minded people to our substitute team. Parents and local residents make great substitutes, bringing stability and heart to our classrooms. If you’re ready to step in as a teacher, paraprofessional, or clerical sub, we’d love to connect. Reach out to [email protected] or use the interest form below to get started.

Thank you for your interest in opportunities with Kelly Education in Minnesota. Kelly Education is the leading provider of educational staffing in the nation.

03/14/2026

Are you new to Duluth Public Schools or have questions about enrollment and transportation? We know the logistics can be a lot, and we’re here to make it simple!

Join us for Parent/Guardian Academy 101: Your Guide to Enrollment & Transport! 🎒🚌

Our team will be available to help with registration, document verification, and bus routing. Whether you're new to the district or just need to check your status, we’re here to help you get ready to roll!

📍 Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 25th
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Staff will be available for extra help starting at 5:00 PM and after the session around 7:30 PM)
📍 Location: Lincoln Park Middle School Media Center (3215 W. 3rd Street)
🍽 Dinner will be provided!

🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/DoLj4KVVVob45PNr5

💻 Virtual Option: Prefer to join online? Email Shalon Monroe at [email protected] to receive the meeting link.

Questions? Contact Shalon Monroe, Family and Community Engagement Specialist, at [email protected] or (218) 336-8700 Ext. 2509.

We look forward to seeing you there!

03/13/2026

Due to winter weather, Duluth Public Schools will hold an e-learning day on Friday, March 13. Families, please check your email for more information about the e-learning day.

All K-12 activities and athletics are canceled for the day, except participation in sectional or state tour­naments, unless canceled by event officials. Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes, preschool classes, Community Education in-person classes and KEY Zone will be canceled.

03/13/2026

🎒 Enrollment is OPEN for 2026-2027! 🚌

The future is bright at Duluth Public Schools, and we want your student to be a part of it! Whether you have a little one starting Kindergarten or a student new to the area, now is the time to secure your spot for the upcoming school year.

From award-winning programs to a community that cares—discover why is the right choice for your family. ✨

🔗 Ready to join us? Visit isd709.org/enroll for more information and to start your registration today.

🎬A huge thank you to Mr. Chumich’s students for their incredible work and creativity in helping us put this video together! 👏⭐