Allan Albertson, principal, Rippleside Elementary

Allan Albertson is the principal of Rippleside Elementary School, a K-6 school serving 630 students. Other members of the Rippleside Minnesota School of Excellence committee are:  Kathy Hakes (Testing & Federal Program Coordinator), Gina Ostrowski,  Shari Nordean, Daryl Smith, Mike Statz, Julie Asmus (all Professional Teaching Staff) and Beth Gaulke (parent/community representative). The school community also includes the Aitkin Children’s Center housing ECFE, early childhood, and preschool programs. Rippleside Elementary draws from a large rural area, approximately 70 miles long by 40 miles wide.

As principal, Albertson believes: “Rippleside Elementary School is a very special place.  As a learning community our dedicated teaching staff and support staff work collectively to ensure that every child has every opportunity to realize their full potential. The Minnesota School of Excellence validation process was a very valuable experience, as the process required our school community to revisit where we have been, recent change and plan for the future.”

The mission of Rippleside Elementary School states: We will empower students to be lifelong learners and citizens by maximizing community, parent, and staff involvement while developing high expectations and achievement in a safe learning environment. The school promotes developing all aspects of the child academically, including character, with a strong emphasis on reading and mathematics. In addition, Rippleside students are given a rich experience with specialists provided in: music, art, science, media, and physical education. The school is proud to have implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and is in the process of implementing PBIS (positive behavior intervention systems) school-wide for the 2010-2011 school year.

Rippleside Elementary has consistently had the reputation of being one of the best elementary schools in central Minnesota. It has created and fosters a community of learners. “We are very proud of our children and their achievement in academics,” said Albertson. “They have made AYP (adequate yearly progress) every year since 2002-2003, with the exception of special education mathematics in 2008-2009 and special education reading and math, fee and reduced lunch in 2009-2010.  Rippleside again demonstrated growth, but as many schools statewide have experienced, it is extremely difficult to keep pace with rising target scores. We are very proud of our continued growth in reading and math, as measured by the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments,” he continued.

The school has done an excellent job of creating a culture that is flexible, innovative, collaborative, and supportive of improving instruction and student achievement. Decision-making is shared, with input encouraged from staff and parents, and all decisions are based on what is essential to student learning. Also, the school uses the community to create, coordinate, and implement enrichment programs: Rotary Reader, 4-H Helping Hands, School Forest – DNR, Foster Grandparents, Artist in Residence, Veteran’s Honorary Wall and Breakfast, Grand Friend pen pal and pie social, Volunteer “call me once”, VISTA volunteer, and teacher mentorship program.