Welcome to Barr Middle School, Home of the Bulldogs!
On behalf of the students and staff, I would like to welcome you to R.J. Barr Middle School. We have a learning environment which embraces diversity, teamwork and communication. Our focus is on developing each student academically, socially and behaviorally. We look forward to working with you to provide the best education for your child. We have a collaborative staff that is focused on doing what is best for all students. We want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to educate your child during their middle school years.
Welcome to R.J. Barr Middle School, home of the Bulldogs. Please feel free to contact us at any time or to visit the school.
“Every Student, Every Day, A Success!"
Barr at a Glance
6-8th Grade Students: 663
Teachers: 50
CEP School: Meals at no cost
(Information from Nebraska Dept. of Education, 2025)
Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about our academic opportunities as well as our family events. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Sheree Stockwell, principal
1922--A decision was made by the Grand Island School District to organize the system into a kindergarten-six, seven-nine, ten-twelve arrangement.
1924--It was reported to be the first junior high in the state. The cost to build was $140,000.
Howard J. Finley, first principal of the R.J. Barr Junior High, 1924.
This photograph was found in a time capsule, July 1998, in a corner stone while demolishing "Old Barr" also known as Connell, 318 South Clark.
A SCHOOL IS NAMED
The school was named for R.J. Barr who was Superintendent of Schools from 1882-1922
1947 Barr Football Team
CHANGES TAKE PLACE
1956--Superintendent Wiltse began developing educational specifications for a new building. The processes leading to the actual construction of a new building took 11 years.
1958--A seventh grade common core curriculum for both junior high schools was approved.
1960--A foreign language lab was added to the school.
1961--The Junclaus store, located just west of the school, was leased for the site of the shop for the next five years.
1965--February--Decision reached to place the new school on property north of Stolley Park Road.
BUILDING OF A NEW SCHOOL--APPROVED
1965--April--Bond issue of $1,760,000 was approved.
1965--October--Contract for construction of school awarded to Johnson Company of Salina, Kansas. Total cost of the project was $1,154,283.
1966--Cornerstone of the building laid by the Grand Lodge AF & AM of Nebraska.
NEW BARR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETED
1967--Fall--School was occupied for the 1967-1968 school year with an enrollment of 683 students. Formal dedication on November 19, 1967. The new building included climate control, elevator, auditorium, two industrial arts rooms, cafeteria, vocal and instrumental music rooms, nursing station, counselor's offices, gymnasium, two home economics rooms, classrooms for all academic areas and outdoor space for physical education activities.
1967--June--A major flood causes $80,000 in damages to the new building.
1967--October--Additional property was purchased to enlarge the site.
1969--The school newspaper formerly titled the Crowbar, and the Barr Barker, was renamed The Paper Bulldog. Boys wrestling was added to the extracurricular activities.
1972--Student enrollment increased from 618 students to 756 students due to annexation of Central Park area south of town.
1975--Girls basketball, volleyball and track programs began in the fall.
1980--Tornadoes which struck Grand Island, on the night of June 3, 1980, caused $264,489.73 worth of damage to the building. The building was repaired in time for the opening of school in the fall.
1988--A seven period day was implemented, a change from six periods, allowing students to have more opportunity for exploratory courses.
1989--Twenty years of celebration for the school newspaper was celebrated with a Twentieth Anniversary Edition. The journalism paper earned a medalist rating, the highest awarded by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, from 1980 through 1990.
1990--A fenced all-weather track and new football field was approved at a cost of $97,000.
1991--Principal Frank Haack retires after serving as an Administrator to Barr Junior High from 1959-1991.
1993--Bond issue for the Grand Island School District passes. Barr Junior High gains $3,110,000 for the remodeling and building process.
1994--Breaking of ground for the new facility begins.
1995--Remodeling and construction are underway for a new middle school facility.
1997--The facility is scheduled to be completed and opened as Barr Middle School.
1998--Time Capsule is opened by: former Principal Frank Haacke and former Assistant Principal Al Satterly.
2005--School Bond was passed to add 6 new classrooms and a new Media Center on to Barr.
2006--Construction began for the newest addition.
2006--In March classes were held in the new addition.
Barr Middle School and all of Grand Island Public Schools are dedicated to continually improving our school, our students and our community. Within this section you can see data and gain an understanding of our efforts and goals for improvement.
NDE: STATE OF THE SCHOOLS REPORT
Click here to see the Nebraska Department of Education State of Schools Report for Barr Middle School.
School Improvement Plan
This summary provides information and results for our school’s improvement process. By design, broad improvement goals are established that take several years to fully achieve. All staff help identify and implement a few powerful research-based improvement strategies, which are assessed annually in terms of student learning gains.
Reading and Math Goals
Overarching NSCAS Growth Reading Building Goal:
The overall percentage of students proficient on NSCAS Growth Reading will increase from 35% in the spring of 2022 to 51% in the spring of 2023.
Overarching NSCAS Growth Math Building Goal:
The overall percentage of students proficient on NSCAS Growth Math will increase from 28% in the spring of 2022 to 51% in the spring of 2023.
Positive Support Goals
Schoolwide positive Support Goal:
By th eend of the 2022-2023 school year, we will implement effective MTSS Positive Supports framework, which leads to 90% of students having 0-1 minor or major referrals, a structured and manageable Tier 2 response protocol, and reduced Tier 3 student needs.
What universal tier strategies are you implementing this year to improve student achievement?
Strategy 1: Shared Leadership 1.4
Grade level PLCs meet a minimum of one time per week to engage in standards-based planning and data-driven decisions (i.e. PLC Progress Standards-Based Planning & Data-Driven Decisions).
The BLT uses a process to ensure that effective universal practices are implemented with fidelity (Learning Targets & Success Criteria, Target-Task Alignment, & Verification of Learning).
What universal tier strategies are you implementing this year to improve positive supports?
School policies and procedures describe and emphasize proactive, instructive and/or restorative approaches to student behavior that are implemented consistently.
