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Hendrum is fortunate to be part of the Norman County West School System and is proud home of West Elementary School, where a new million dollar school addition was completed in 1992, adding to the historic 1913 structure. The West school district is well known for its emphasis on quality education and it has become a leader in the areas of academics and sports.
The school also provides employment for a number of local residents. Even community members without a direct school connection often enjoy attending basketball and volleyball games, theatre productions, concerts, and other events. When school is not in session, the outdoor recreational resources - playground, football field, and tennis courts are also available to the public.
A number of features that make Hendrum's elementary school distinctive: super test results on Minnesota standardized tests; an excellent elementary technology program, including a new "Smart Board"; excellent band, choir, and classroom music programs; and the "All-Stars" after-school program (especially helpful for working parents who have to commute), with 61 kids currently signed up and at least 45 attending daily, receiving homework help, a snack, and time for recreation.
Norman County West Elementary is especially proud of its status as a "Blue Ribbon School," awarded by the U.S. Department of Education in 2006 to only 292 schools nationwide and only 9 in Minnesota. The recognition was based on dramatic improvement in student achievement in the areas of reading, math, and writing over the prior three years.
Norman County West has a total K-12 student body of 280 this year, served by 27 licensed staff and 43 dedicated support staff.
In partnership with Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, the school district also runs a preschool, named West Adventure Center, which serves 40 kids and their families. While all the preschoolers share classrooms and activities without distinction, families register for childcare (at a reasonable daily rate) or Head Start (free), based on family income. Full and partial-week options are offered, running from 8:15 - 3:15 each day.