Cohasset Elementary awarded as a Minnesota School of Excellence

The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) announced that Cohasset Elementary School has been named a Minnesota School of Excellence (SOE), one of only six schools in the state to receive this esteemed designation for 2024.

The Minnesota School of Excellence program, designed and implemented by MESPA, is a rigorous school improvement process that aligns with national and state standards for quality and effectiveness. Schools awarded the SOE designation have undergone a comprehensive self-study, driven by input from staff, students, and the community, and have demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing educational practices, fostering a positive school culture, and promoting continuous improvement.

Excellence is a process. Everything done in an effective school community focuses on ensuring the learning of adults and students. The MN SOE program supports this focus by combining the findings of current research on effective schooling with the practical on-site experience of working principals and education staff.

Cohasset Elementary excels in holistic, experiential learning by connecting students with community experts. Their initiatives include an overnight trip to the Laurentian Environmental Learning Center, where students explore American Indian traditions, winter survival skills, and wildlife. They also learn from phenology expert John Latimer, who leads nature walks and classroom discussions on the relationship between seasons, nature, and human impact. Students then share their findings on a local radio station. These opportunities enrich students’ education by extending learning beyond the classroom, fostering a deeper connection to their community and the environment.

“All of us at Cohasset Elementary are proud to accept the MN School of Excellence Award,” reflected Jill Wheelock, the former principal who led the project. “We strived to create a system for high levels of student achievement for all students in our community school. Through hard work, dedication, collaboration and shared leadership over the past nine years, we have achieved our goal and have put practices in place that will continue to increase student achievement in years to come.”

The SOE program evaluates schools across standards:

Learning-Centered: Balance management and leadership roles to lead schools in ways that place student and adult learning at the center.Diverse Communities: Set high expectations and standards for the academic, social, emotional, and physical development of all students in an environment that acknowledges, fosters, and celebrates diversity.21st Century Learners: Demand content and instruction that ensure student achievement.Quality Instruction: Create a culture of continuous learning for adults, tied to student learning and other school goals.Knowledge and Data: Manage knowledge and data to inform decisions and measure the progress of student, adult, and school performance.Community Engagement: Actively engage the community to create shared responsibility for student performance and development.

“We are proud to recognize Cohasset Elementary as a Minnesota School of Excellence,” added Michelle Krell, the executive director of MESPA. “The Minnesota School of Excellence program is more than just a recognition. It’s a comprehensive improvement process that empowers schools to reflect on their practices, engage with their communities, and strive for the highest levels of academic and personal growth for all students.”

“It takes commitment and teamwork to honestly and thoroughly assess areas of strength and at the same time identify a plan for continual growth,” explained Tami Staloch-Schultz, chair of the Minnesota School of Excellence Committee. “The SOE process asks the entire school community – parents, students, staff, administration, and more – to reflect on and celebrate the collaborative work being done in school communities. Schools that receive validation have had important data-driven conversations about what a high-quality learning experience should be for all students and have plans to make that learning experience a reality for many years to come. Honoring the important work of dedicated staff, eager students, and supportive communities is an essential component of becoming a School of Excellence.”

The Minnesota School of Excellence designation is valid for seven years, during which Cohasset Elementary will continue to uphold the high standards set forth by the program, under the new leadership of principal Dr. Ryan Siegle.