Middle Schools Recognized as Champions of Positive School Culture & Student Behavior

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) was recently recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for its sustained commitment to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The state recognition highlighted the district’s ongoing commitment to creating supportive, encouraging, and positive learning environments where every student could feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.

PLSAS implemented PBIS strategies beginning in 2010. PBIS is an evidence-based framework that helped schools create consistent expectations for student behavior, strengthen positive relationships, and support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs. By focusing on prevention, positive reinforcement, and consistent responses to behavior, PBIS helped schools reduce disciplinary incidents while fostering greater student engagement and a stronger sense of belonging.

At Hidden Oaks Middle School (HOMS) and Twin Oaks Middle School (TOMS), staff worked to create systems that provided students with clear expectations, predictable routines, and positive opportunities to be recognized for their success. This work helped build a school culture where students were supported not only academically, but also socially and behaviorally.

On August 12, Deans from Hidden Oaks and Twin Oaks, Rachel Loftus-Jungwirth and Zach Haught, presented at the 2026 PBIS Summer Institute. They shared what their middle schools had learned about building a positive school culture, supporting student behavior, and creating safe, positive, and predictable learning environments. The presentation gave them an opportunity to share their experiences and practices with educators from across Minnesota.

“At HOMS/TOMS, we were proud to continue a strong tradition of fostering a safe, positive, and predictable learning environment for all students,” said Dean Zach Haught. “While we were honored to receive this recognition from the Minnesota Department of Education, we were continuously working to improve our systems to meet the needs of every kid who walked through our doors.”

The recognition from MDE reflected the ongoing work of teachers, administrators, support staff, students, and families who contributed to a positive school culture every day. Building a strong school community was a team effort, and PBIS provided schools with a framework to make those efforts consistent, intentional, and focused on student success.

The opportunity for Rachel Loftus-Jungwirth and Zach Haught to present at the 2026 PBIS Summer Institute was another example of how PLSAS educators learned, led, collaborated, and shared their work with others across Minnesota.

We were proud to celebrate the work happening at Hidden Oaks and Twin Oaks and the commitment of the staff who continued to make positive school culture a priority.

Congratulations to Hidden Oaks Middle School and Twin Oaks Middle School on this well-deserved recognition!