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Empower Every Learner to Thrive!

History

History

Rita Murphy Elementary School, named after a highly regarded English teacher in the Bismarck Public Schools, opened in September of 1969 with an enrollment of approximately 150 students. Since that time, the district has built three additions to the school. In 2007 the last of the three construction projects was concluded, which included eight regular classrooms, several specialist areas, a library/media center, a music room, and a cafeteria/multipurpose room.

Currently the enrollment at Rita Murphy stands at approximately 570 students in grades K-5. The student base is made up of neighborhood children as well as those from rural areas to the east and northeast of the city of Bismarck.

Rita Murphy has a dedicated faculty of 27 classroom teachers as well as specialists in the areas of reading, physical education, vocal and instrumental music, library/media, gifted and talented, special education and counseling. The entire teaching staff at Murphy consists of forty-four highly qualified professional educators. In addition to the teaching staff, a support staff, made up of secretaries, custodians, a library aide, cooks, playground supervisors, a nurse, and instructional aides help the school run smoothly.