Bettendorf, IA: Middle school to provide "Brain Health Retreat Room"
- The end of childhood
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
Oct 6, 2025, KWQC, Davenport, IA: Bettendorf Middle School selected as Iowa’s first middle school to receive Brain Health Retreat Room
BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) - Bettendorf Middle School has been selected for a one-of-a-kind project made possible through grant funding. It’s a project that district leaders say will benefit both students and staff.
Bettendorf Middle School is Iowa’s first middle school to receive a Brain Health Retreat Room, launching in the 2026-2027 school year, district leaders said. The project is made possible through a $40,000 grant and the continued partnership with Brain Health now, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the narrative around mental health by using the term “brain health” to reduce stigma and foster more supportive environments.
This innovative partnership began at Bettendorf High School, which was the first in the Quad Cities to open a Brain Health Retreat Room, district leaders said. The expansion to middle school goes along with the district’s commitment to supporting the cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of students, especially during critical middle school years, when brain development and mental health needs are rapidly evolving.
The Brain Health Retreat Room at Bettendorf Middle School will provide a welcoming space for both students and staff that includes:
Scheduled hours available for staff for quiet reflection and reset
For students the room will be open during select times with trained staff offering guided support to help individuals reset, recharge, and return to learning or connect with a counselor for additional help
This initiative aligns with growing research and adolescent brain development showing that the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision making, impulse control, and emotional regulation is still developing during the middle school years, district leaders said.
In addition to the new Brain Health Retreat Room, Bettendorf Middle School offers a robust network of support for students well-being including:
A dedicated team of counselors and a social worker
peer mentorship and WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) programs
A school-based therapist and therapy dog
Ongoing professional development for staff in trauma-informed care and adolescent development
A Positive Behavior Support team focused on fostering safe and supportive learning environments
“Too often, students struggling with anxiety, stress, or overwhelm are seen as misbehaving, when in reality their brains are doing exactly what developing teen brains do,” said Sarah Harris, MTSS-SEBH Coordinator. “Middle school students are still maturing in areas like impulse control and emotional regulation, which can make it harder for them to manage stress and reactions in a school setting without support. We’re honored to lead the way in Iowa and grateful to Brain Health Now for believing in our students, staff, and district.”
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