igniting curiosity

Aimee Zachrison has spent the last 25 years of her life focusing on her passion for educating young minds. As the academic dean and middle school principal of Oak Grove Lutheran School, Zachrison brings with her a diverse background of teaching experience including her work with alternative schools throughout South Dakota.

"I began my teaching career in Lincoln, Nebraska. After teaching for several years at a Catholic school, I relocated with my husband to South Dakota where I fell in love with the struggles and triumphs of alternative education," explains Zachrison.

Alternative education is commonly used to support teenagers and young adults who face challenges in life, often leaving them behind in their education. These difficult situations can range from dropping out and returning, to transitioning from prison back to society.

Unfortunately, in 2008, the state of South Dakota made the decision to close their Department of Labor alternative schools. At the time, Zachrison and her family were living in Watertown, South Dakota, where she was teaching in the public school system. Learning of the closures happening across the state, she knew something needed to be done. Through dedication and perseverance, Zachrison worked closely with the staff at Watertown High School to create an alternative school which continues to run to this day.

After moving back to North Dakota in 2014, Zachrison learned of an open middle school principal position at Oak Grove Lutheran School. She was drawn to Oak Grove because of their community culture and intentional middle school structure.

"Academics, faith, and service. These are the values of Oak Grove Lutheran School. Values that I believe in and work for every day. You can see these values hard at work in our students in the way they build relationships and work hard for others and for themselves. Even more, our extraordinary team of teachers models these values for our students each and every day.”

Oak Grove offers education from preschool to 12th grade and is currently ranked as the number one private school in North Dakota. But Oak Grove is more than a prestigious ranking. It's a community where relationships are built and fostered. With an equal focus on education, faith, and service, as well as a variety of extra curricular activities, the staff at Oak Grove come together to help shape the students into the individuals they want to be. "It's very common to see our teachers, coaches and directors working together with students to accommodate their extracurricular activities. We want our kids to have the opportunity to pursue everything they are passionate about," adds Zachrison. For many Oak Grove students, this means participation in both athletics and the arts.

Maintaining a passion for seeing children thrive, Zachrison strives to look at the bigger picture of education for Oak Grove students. "To me, the educational experience begins from the preschool level and continues until each one of our students graduates. Through our focus on academics, faith, and service, we encourage and build up each student for a successful life."

With just over 700 students from across Fargo/ Moorhead and the surrounding area, Oak Grove Lutheran School is a stronger school with Aimee Zachrison leading the way. Her drive, tenacity, and passion for improvement are just a few of the ways Zachrison has become an asset to the Oak Grove team.