MESPA Minnesota Schools of Excellence
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"The Minnesota School of Excellence program clearly connects the education process to student learning."

The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) developed this research-based program aligned with national standards in: leadership, vision, student learning, the culture of adult learning, data and decision-making, and community engagement. MESPA endorses schools whose principal, staff, students, and community -- working as a team -- demonstrate the desire to strengthen education by successfully undertaking the Minnesota School of Excellence program. This school improvement process is recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. It involves a systematic program of self-study, development of a school improvement plan, and implementation of the plan based on demonstrated results. Click here for complete details on the Minnesota School of Excellence application process.

“In this time of high stakes testing, the quality of our school communities can far too easily be misrepresented by the single-purposed federal testing requirement,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. “High stakes tests offer a snapshot in time with no context. One high stakes test should not determine a school’s public stature and cannot adequately
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Principals leading schools receiving 2012-2013 MN School of Excellence validation -- and award presenters: back row (l-r) Jason Grovom, Tom Cawcutt, Dan Adams, Kelly Lessman, Brent Brunetta; front row (l-r) MN Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius (presenter), Jan Anderson, Rae Villebrun, Carolyn Hartwigsen, MN School of Excellence Program Chair Laura Pierce (presenter)
assess its educational effectiveness. Elementary and middle level schools provide the foundation for children’s lifelong learning, and the Minnesota School of Excellence program clearly connects the education process to student learning."

"The total commitment to excellence demonstrated by schools receiving Minnesota School of Excellence validation is the very center of quality education in this state," Storti continued. “Elementary and middle level schools provide the foundation in meeting children’s educational needs -- and as instructional leaders, principals play an essential role in assuring that the foundation is a solid one.”
 
“The MESPA MN School of Excellence Program is a valuable, standardized process that engages all stakeholders in meaningful conversations about their school and is a program in which all schools have the opportunity to participate, " said Laura Pierce, MN School of Excellence Program chair, and principal of Akin Road Elementary, Farmington Public Schools. 

To view a list of all schools that have been endorsed as Minnesota Schools of Excellence since the program's inception in 1986, click on the MN SOE History PDF below. The Minnesota School of Excellence validation remains in effect for seven years. After that time has passed, MESPA encourages school communities to re-initiate the process of self-study and submit a new application.


Get Acrobat Reader  MN_SOE_hstry_11-12.pdf  
A history (list) of all schools who have received MN School of Excellence validation since 1986.



IN THIS SECTION

MN School of Excellence Mission
The Minnesota School of Excellence Program promotes excellence through a rigorous evaluation process that showcases dynamic schools of the 21st century.


Minnesota School of Excellence History
To view a list of schools that have been endorsed as Minnesota Schools of Excellence since the program's inception in 1986, scroll to the MN SOE History document at the bottom of the page. The Minnesota School of Excellence validation remains in effect for seven years. After that time has passed, MESPA encourages school communities to re-initiate the process of self-study and submit a new application.


Program Materials
To download copies of all MN School of Excellence program materials -- including program guidelines, and application part 1 (self-study) and application part 2  (template for carrying out the school improvement process), visit Professional Development on this site.


Questions about the Minnesota School of Excellence Program? Contact:
Laura Pierce
Chair, Minnesota School of Excellence Program
lpierce@farmington.k12.mn.us
651-460-1700

Olivia Gault
MESPA Director of Professional Development
ogault@mespa.net
651-999-7313



Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651.999.7310     MN toll free 800.642.6807    
Fax: 651.999.7311     E-mail: mespa@mespa.net