RELEASE: Minnesota Department of Education Announces 2015 Celebration Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2015
CONTACT: Keith Hovis, 651-582-8275, keith.hovis@state.mn.us

Minnesota Department of Education Announces 2015 Celebration Schools

ROSEVILLE – Today, the Minnesota Department of Education announced that 22 schools are being recognized as Celebration schools for their efforts to increase student achievement. This year, 157 schools applied for the honor.

“I offer my congratulations to the teachers, school administrators, parents, and students who have worked together to make tremendous improvements in our schools,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “We must build on their successes, and continue working to ensure a strong start for every student in Minnesota.”

The Celebration school designation is part of Minnesota’s federal accountability and recognition system developed under its waiver from No Child Left Behind. Under Minnesota’s system, schools are assigned a Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) based on students’ proficiency and growth, as well as a school’s progress towards reducing achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates. The state’s Title I schools—those serving racially and ethnically diverse student populations and receive federal funds for children from low-income families—qualify for designations if they are top performers.

“Minnesota is truly fortunate to be home to some of the most dedicated and talented educators in the nation,” said Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. “I want to congratulate these schools on this exciting honor and look forward to learning about their successful efforts to ensure all students succeed and share that work with other schools across the state.”

Celebration-eligible schools are the 25 percent of schools directly below the schools designated as Reward schools this past September (the top 15 percent of Title I schools). These schools were invited to apply for the Celebration status by documenting what efforts they are using to increase student achievement. The department selects schools based on their ability to effectively document best practices that have led to student success to receive the Celebration school recognition. Celebration-eligible schools are identified annually.

Over the past three years, 30 percent of schools that have earned the Celebration school designation have gone on to become Reward schools.

The schools chosen as 2015 Celebration schools this year are:

School Name / District Name

Alden-Conger Elementary / Alden-Conger Public School District

Hoover Elementary / Anoka-Hennepin Public School District

Lincoln Elementary / Anoka-Hennepin Public School District

Harrison Elementary / Brainerd Public School District

Lowell Elementary / Brainerd Public School District

M.W. Savage Elementary / Burnsville Public School District

Isanti Intermediate School / Cambridge-Isanti Public School District

Community of Peace Academy Secondary

Hennepin Elementary Charter School

Houston Elementary / Houston Public School District

Lakes International Language Academy

William Kelley Elementary / Lake Superior Public School District

Kennedy Elementary / Lakeville Public School District

Morris Area Elementary / Morris Area Public School District

Richardson Elementary / North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Public School District

Osakis Elementary / Osakis Public School District

Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Health, and Environmental Sciences / Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public School District

Southview Elementary / Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public School District

Northome Elelmentary / South Koochiching Public School District

Northside Elementary / St. James Public School District

Step Academy Charter School

Kennedy Elementary / Willmar Public School District

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