Elgin/New Leipzig Public School

Terry-Bentz-Headshot

The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School, located in Elgin, encompasses to roughly 180 students in kindergarten through grade 12. The high school more commonly referred to as Grant County High School is a small town school with big advantages. High School Principal and Athletic Director Terry Bentz listed just a few of those advantages including extra-curricular activities ranging from basketball and football to FFA, FBLA and drama. Bentz went on to mention many outstanding achievements the school has also had in the state science fair and state academic teams.

In Bentz’s 32 year career with Elgin/New Leipzig Public School, he recalls, “Dakota Community Bank & Trust has been a huge supporter of our school and all of our students in various ways.” Dakota Community Bank & Trust’s (DCB&T) most recent sponsorship involves a new state-of-the-art football scoreboard donated in 2018. Additional contributions throughout the years have included sponsoring state banners for various athletic teams as well as donations while those teams are attending their state competition(s), signage for the 2018 state winning girls’ basketball team, purchasing the financial literacy program for the school’s personal finance class, sponsorships for students to attend the national science fair competition, and financial contributions for equipment and tools to the ag department and physical education department.

Bentz is proud of the school’s academic achievements stating, “A few years ago, we had two students that qualified for the International Science Fair in Phoenix, AZ. One of them was a state winner and got their full trip paid through the organization. The other was an alternate that qualified to go with their project. This student had to raise the money. Without the means of how to go about doing that, Dakota Community Bank & Trust was a big part in helping this student be able to attend. That was a big deal for the teachers and for the student.”

In 2014-2015, the elementary school was a Nationally Recognized Title School. In recent years, Grant County High School has had students represent the North Dakota state academic team; each year, a number of seniors are awarded the North Dakota Academic Scholarship based on their high academic achievements; in 2018 the school’s Ag Mechanics team placed third nationally and several of their FBLA students placed nationally. In 2018, the girls basketball team also brought home the championship title.

With all of the accomplishments, both athletically and academically, the school is thriving in their small community. An hour and a half away from both Bismarck and Dickinson, the school and the town are self-sufficient. The population of Elgin is approximately 650, New Leipzig 250, Mott 700 and neighboring Carson 275 resulting in steady enrollment for the school district.

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“We really do have a very good school and part of that is because we have support from our community, and Dakota Community Bank & Trust is no different. We wouldn’t be able to do some of the things we do without that support,” recalls a very thankful Bentz. “We are a great school. We are small. We are rural. We can compete along with the best in sports and academically. We have smart kids. We have good families. It is a good place to live. I have been here for 32 years, so I can say that.”

Their mission is to provide a positive and safe environment that promotes lifelong learning to all individuals. For additional information on the school and their achievements, please visit: http://www.gcs.k12.nd.us/.

Written by Lindsey Hefta, Marketing Director