22 High Performing Schools Recognized by Minnesota Department of Education

22 local schools have been recognized as "Celebration Schools," an honor bestowed upon schools serving poor students who demonstrate good achievement. 

The "Celebration" portion of the award is in part to Minnesota's new school accountability system. This monitors schools that receive federal poverty aid and gives them designations that correlate with how they fare academically. The "Celebration" designation is one of the highest commendations meant for the top 25% of schools receiving Title I money. 

“I want to congratulate these schools for this incredible accomplishment,” said Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. “Minnesotans should be proud of the work going on in our schools."

The full spread of schools is listed below -- congrats to all the "Celebration Schools" for their hard work to give more students opportunities to succeed in academics. 

Blooming Prairie Elementary / Blooming Prairie Public School District

Cedar Park Elementary / Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan

Dover-Eyota Elementary / Dover-Eyota Public School District

Fair School Downtown / West Metro Education Program

Hmong College Prep Academy High School / Hmong College Prep Academy

Huddleston Elementary / Lakeville Public School District

Kelliher Secondary School / Kelliher Public School District

Kennedy Elementary / Willmar Public School District

Kenny Elementary / Minneapolis Public School District

KIPP Minnesota Charter School / KIPP Minnesota Charter School

Menahga Elementary / Menahga Public School District

Minnesota Transitions Middle School / Minnesota Transitions Charter

Mississippi Heights Elementary / Sauk Rapids-Rice Public School District

Moose Lake Elementary / Moose Lake Public School District

Oak Grove Elementary / Bloomington Public School District

Oak Hills Elementary / Lakeville Public School District

Rice Elementary / Sauk Rapids-Rice Public School District

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

Ridgeway Community School / Ridgeway Community

South Terrace Elementary / Carlton Public School District

Southgate Elementary / Austin Public School District

Weaver Elementary / North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale

Photo courtesy of: woodleywonderworks