The success of Big Lake Schools revolves around strong relationships and school culture. This commitment, and the resulting impact, was recently honored at the state level.

For the second year in a row, each of our K-8 buildings, Independence, Liberty, and BLMS, were recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for their sustained commitment to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework during the 2025-26 school year.

At its core, PBIS is an evidence-based framework that can create a safe, supportive learning environment where all students feel welcome. Being recognized by MDE symbolizes just how serious Big Lake is about PBIS efforts and exemplifies the impact the work is having.

The PBIS framework emphasizes proactive strategies for encouraging positive behavior while supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. When implemented with fidelity, PBIS has been shown to help increase student outcomes, reduce disciplinary incidents, and increase student engagement over time.

At Big Lake Schools, PBIS shows up in many ways. Students are intentionally taught clear expectations that align with the district’s behavioral philosophy, The Hornet Way. When misbehaviors occur, staff reteach appropriate behaviors and use restorative practices to resolve issues. School-wide PBIS teams continuously review behavior data and develop procedures to address areas of concern.

The three Big Lake schools were honored on Aug. 12 at MDE’s PBIS Summer Institute along with the 94 other schools that were also recognized.

To learn more about what PBIS looks like at each of our schools, visit biglakeschools.org/academics/pbis.