North Branch Area Schools: Ready for an Extraordinary Year

Dear North Branch School District Families and Community,

The North Branch Board of Education, administrators, teachers, and support staff are thrilled to welcome our students and families back for what promises to be an extraordinary 2026–2027 school year!

The first day of school for all students is Monday, August 24th. By now, you should have received back-to-school information from your child’s respective building to ensure a smooth, confident start. If you need to reference school supply lists, building schedules, or the full 2026–2027 district calendar, please visit our website at www.nbbroncos.net.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering partnership and support of North Branch Area Schools. As I begin my 26th year with NBAS and my 11th year serving as your superintendent, I can confidently share that our district's foundation, culture, and community spirit have never been stronger.

A Tradition of Academic Excellence

Our collective commitment to high achievement continues to earn elite recognition locally and nationwide:

• Top 40% in the Nation: Nationally, U.S. News & World Report has officially ranked North Branch Elementary, Ruth Fox Middle School, and North Branch High School in the top 40% of public schools in the country, honoring them as "Best Public Schools."
• Best of the Best: Locally, our community's trust remains unmatched. North Branch Area Schools has been voted the "Best of the Best" school district in Lapeer County for seven consecutive years.
• Historic National Merit Streak: Our academic results showcase that we provide our students with the tools to excel at the highest level. Over a 66-year period (1958–2023), our district saw a total of 14 National Merit recognitions. In just the past two years (24-25 and 25-26),  we have celebrated three National Merit Finalists, a testament to our accelerating academic rigor.
• National recognition from Education Magazine recognizing North Branch Area Schools in a feature article as one of the most influential school districts of 2026.   This article will most likely go to print in September and we will share the article on our social media platforms.

Staff Excellence & Future-Ready Classroom Innovation

The driving force behind these achievements remains our incredible staff. Following the launch of our generative AI initiatives, our classrooms spent the last school year leading the state in future-ready learning. Under the direction of our AI Strategist, Cindy Lewis, and our building-level AI Leadership teams, our educators are thoughtfully integrating emerging technologies. We are ensuring our students don't just use technology, but graduate with the competitive digital literacy and critical thinking skills required for tomorrow's world.

Early Childhood Success

Our unified Early Childhood Learning Center at the Administration Services Center and Quest Building has officially completed its first full year. Uniting the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Little Learners Preschool, and FABS (Fun After & Before School) program has proven to be an incredible academic success, providing a vibrant, modern space where our youngest Broncos build strong foundational literacy and math skills. For 2026–2027 enrollment openings, please contact our Early Childhood Coordinator, Lisa Bazinaw, at (810) 688-7147.

Summer Facilities & Upgrades

Our dedicated maintenance and custodial crews worked tirelessly over the summer months. In addition to deep-cleaning every campus building to guarantee safe, welcoming learning environments, we finalized several key facility enhancements. These include new asphalt drop-offs at the high school and elementary schools to improve morning safety and traffic flow.

Looking Ahead

We are incredibly excited to introduce several talented new staff members to the NBAS family this year, all of whom are highlighted in this publication. As we begin this new school year, we continue to lean heavily into our district’s defining "All In" motto. Together, as a unified community, we look forward to another exciting school year of growth, academic triumph, and Bronco pride.

We cannot wait to see our hallways buzzing with energy and school spirit on Monday, August 24th! If you have any questions or require assistance as the school year gets underway, please feel free to reach out to my office at (810) 688-3570.

In anticipation of an amazing school year,

Jim Fish Superintendent North Branch Area Schools