North High surviving, but road to success still long

The school's enrollment also remains a financial concern for the district. With so few students in one of its largest buildings, the district estimated this spring that the per-student cost of operating North could be roughly $13,100, compared to the district average of $8,762 per student. Seven miles away at Southwest High, consistently ranked among the state's best schools, eight times as many students are crammed into a smaller building.

For Kale Severson, a 2001 graduate and president of the North High School Alumni Association, the investment in North is worth it.

Inside the school, up the hall from a trophy case with honors celebrating the school's 123-year history, another sign hangs on a door: "Polar Pride Can't Be Denied."

Despite the recent struggles, it still rings true. Severson expects his alma mater to live on for another 123 years.

"They have a diamond in the rough here," he said.

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