This is an exciting time of year. Teachers and students are settling back in their classrooms after winter break and have important work ahead in the last semester of the school year. Our kindergarten students are striving to meet literacy goals, MCA-II tests are right around the corner and many of our students are preparing to start a new phase of their academic careers.
Fifth-grade students are preparing to enter middle school, eighth-grade students are preparing to enter high school and our high school seniors are preparing for college or career paths. Each day, our students are gaining an urban education experience as they prepare to become global citizens.
It is also almost time for families with children in grades K – 11 to choose a school. Please join us at the upcoming Pre-K – 8 School Information Fair: January 21 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hyatt Regency, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Families with students in all grades should request a school before February 29.
The heart of our work is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential. These efforts must begin early in each child’s life, which is why it is so important to find the right school for your child now. Investing in academic progress early provides a greater return later in each student’s education.
All three attendance areas in Minneapolis offer the choice of a school close to home in addition to excellent middle school and high school pathways so that your whole family can feel confident and successful growing with us.
Because more families have chosen to grow with us, we are making changes to better accommodate and serve our students. Each attendance area has community and magnet school options, giving families the opportunity to select a school that best meets their child’s academic needs.
On January 10, the Board of Education will vote to approve a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Minneapolis American Indian community – represented by Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID). The first MOA was signed five years ago and was the first of its kind in the country. This new MOA builds on the first MOA.
The MOA outlines our mutual agreement to collaborate as partners to dramatically improve academic outcomes for American Indian students. Focus areas of the MOA include: ongoing communication, enhanced community partnerships, family and student engagement, teacher professional development and stability, and mutual accountability for results.
We have set ambitious growth targets and we will be working together to review data and make decisions on where to focus our efforts each year. The new MOA represents a perpetual agreement, which will be renewed every five years, and reviewed annually.
Three schools have been designated as Indigenous Best Practice sites: Anishinabe Academy, South High School’s All Nations program, and Nawayee Center School. These schools will receive focused support and interventions, but the education of all MPS Native students will be improved through this agreement. This is just one of the ways that illustrates that we will do whatever it takes to make sure that our students receive a high quality education.
Every Minneapolis public school promises: An academic foundation that prepares students for high school, college, career and life; Meaningful experiences learning with people of diverse races, faiths and cultures; Opportunities to thrive in a local school and learn with a global perspective.
Call or visit Student Placement Services or the New Families Center if you need additional assistance. Our school staff members are always happy to meet with families and schedule tours. We look forward to helping you find the school that best fits your child’s needs. Thank you for choosing the Minneapolis Public Schools.
