Celebrating success, looking forward

A message from the Edina School Board and Edina Public Schools Administration:

As Edina Public School District leaders, we believe that a successful school district is one where all students receive a rich, comprehensive educational experience. One that supports their academic, social/emotional learning, extracurricular and holistic skill development so students can thrive in their next endeavor. We also believe that each and every student who enters our doors deserves to have high expectations placed on them and it is our obligation to ensure the needs of all student populations are met. With just weeks to go in the 2018-19 school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate our successes and talk about the future.
 

Our district, students, staff and parents have much to be proud of this year:
 

• Our students achieved an overall average score of 25.8 on the ACT in 2017-18. That placed them well above the state and national averages with 99% of our students taking the ACT. Six members of the current senior class scored a perfect 36 on their ACT.
   
• 17 seniors were National Merit Semifinalists and every one of them was named a Finalist. In addition there were 30 National Merit Commended students and five National Hispanic Scholars.
   
• Last year, 79% of EHS students enrolled in one or more of the 26 AP courses offered. As a result, EHS administered almost twice as many AP exams as any other Minnesota High School. There were 549 AP scholars, who scored an average of 4.10 out of 5 on their exam.
   
• EHS is ranked #1 in Minnesota for sending the most students to elite schools by PolarisList.com.
   
• 382 seniors, more than half our senior class, were just presented with gold cords denoting their status as EHS Honor Students, each with a GPA of 3.5 or greater. Of that group, 105 received an additional honor marking their service to fellow students as peer tutors.
   
• Excellence in STEM activities was a repeating theme this year with the middle school Math Team members advancing to state; three young women receiving Aspiration in Computing Awards; and a team of three sixth grade girls earning eligibility to apply for national competition. The EHS robotics team - the Green Machine - capped the year by winning the FIRST Robotics World Chairman’s Award at national competition, and is the first team from Minnesota inducted to the FIRST Robotics Hall of Fame. It was the 11th time they had competed nationally.
   
• Art works by elementary Edina students have become permanent public art installations at the Edina Promenade. And this month, art by secondary students are featured in exhibits at the Edina Library and Southdale Center.
   
• EPS musical talent was on display in concert halls beyond the school district, including Orchestra Hall and the Minneapolis Convention Center. Our students, individually and as band or orchestral groups, were selected from among many ensembles statewide for prestigious performances, demonstrating talent and the results of very hard work.
   
• This year’s DECA team produced nine national qualifiers, one of whom was a national finalist. 22 students were state finalists and lettered in the activity. Three students will represent Edina at the national debate tournament in June in the Extemporaneous Speaking category.
   
• And Edina athletic teams continue to amaze the statewide and national sports community. There have been seven state championships so far this year, tying the record for the most state championships by a school in the state...and spring sports are still happening. Stay tuned!

All of these student and team activities (and there are many more)  are part of the Edina academic experience that is anchored daily in classrooms by dedicated teachers and staff. Beyond teaching curriculum, they connect with students, encouraging and inspiring them to take on new challenges and pursue their interests. Edina students graduate as well-rounded individuals who are poised for success in career and life. Teachers in every school of the Edina district continue to learn and adapt so they can provide an engaging learning environment for their students. They are the heart of the district and we are very proud of their work.

It has been a great year for our students and staff, yet we know there is work to do. Concern around trends in MCA scores is not taken lightly. Results from the MCAs -- and all academic performance indicators -- show us where to lean in for deeper study and better answers. They are the baseline for the district’s continuous improvement efforts, which includes examining curriculum, pedagogy and ways to engage all district students.

As a School Board and district leadership, we are committed to continuous improvement and  will demonstrate this as we work to complete a new strategic plan for 2019-20 and beyond. Although details are still being developed, expect to see themes around academic excellence and rigor, fostering learning environments that promote exploration of ideas and thinking, whole student support, system-wide effectiveness, and stakeholder collaboration. We look forward to presenting the completed plan soon.

We are grateful for your ongoing support and the trust you place in us to define excellence for all Edina Public School students.

Edina School Board and
Edina Public Schools Administration

Read more at Excellence in Edina Public Schools and April 2019 Snapshot