School History

Valley Middle School is located in Grand Forks, N.D.  The city is located in northeastern North Dakota on the Red River and is adjacent to East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Grand Forks is a rural, agriculture-based city.

Valley Middle School is located at 2100 5th Avenue North. The neighborhood in which the school is located is primarily residential and includes several churches and a nursing home. Renovations to the original building include a library addition and science classrooms and laboratories. Following the flood of 1997, remodeling of Lower “A” Hallway was necessary. The buildings wiring and plant systems were updated as well. The most recent upgrade to Valley was the installation of a school-wide internal camera security system. The school districts Child Nutrition Services is located in the facility.

Valley Middle School, home of the Royals, is situated on approximately three acres adjacent to and east of University Park. The grounds include football, soccer, and softball fields, which are used for athletics, intramurals, and the physical education classes. Valley students are provided with opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities including student leadership, music, and sports.

When the building first opened in 1955, Valley Junior High served 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-grade students. The transition to Valley Middle School was made in the 1995-1996 school year. The 9th-grade students moved to the high schools and the building served 7th- and 8th-grade students. In 1999, 6th-grade students were moved to the middle schools and Valley again served three grades. Our students come from a large area in the north end of Grand Forks.

In the 2001-2002 school year, Valley became the first middle school in North Dakota to receive school-wide Title I designation. This program provides Valley with federal funds, which are used to benefit all students.

Valley Middle School has six core teams: Dragons and Wizards for the 6th-grade; Bears and Wolves in 7th-grade; and Mustangs and Eagles for the 8th-grade. Students receive instruction in English, math, science, and social studies in their core classes. The 7th-grade students have a semester course in literature, alternating with a health course for the opposite semester. In addition, the 7th-grade students have quarter classes in world languages, technical education, art, and keyboarding. 8th-grade students take semester courses in life skills and technology education. The 8th-grade students also have trimester courses in North Dakota studies, art, and foreign language. Each team has a special education staff teacher. The seventh team, the Wallabies, provide instruction in music, life skills, art, technology, foreign languages, and physical education.

Advisor-Advisee groups called Royal Time (RT) meet at the beginning of each school day to conduct a variety of activities. Activities include, but are not limited to: study time, reading, math, journal writing, character education, and games. Teams at times use RT as a time for meetings with all their students.

Valley Middle School has over 60 full-time certified staff who provide classroom instruction, special education needs, counseling, mentoring, library services, and social services to our students.

Valley provides multiple opportunities for parental involvement. Activities include Parent/Teacher Conferences, Family Fun Night, Open Houses, Turkey Bingo, State Testing Preparation, and Guest Speakers who present topics relevant to middle level and early adolescent development.

The Valley Middle School community, including all staff, students, and families, prides itself in its commitment to excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, now and into the future.