Dassel-Cokato Community Guide 2019 | Page 26

Cokato Elementary has an enrollment of about 500 in kindergarten through fourth grade. It is located at 200 Fifth Street SW in Cokato. To contact Cokato Elementary, call 320- 286-4100, ext. 1300. Dassel Elementary has about 350 students enrolled. It is located at 131 William Avenue E in Dassel. To reach Dassel Elementary, call 320-286-4100, ext. 1500. Both elementary schools participate in the Minnesota Reading Corps program, which provides trained literacy tutors for children ages 3 through third grade. In 2014, the elementary sites began offering all-day kindergarten fi ve days per week. All schools encourage parents to volunteer by getting involved in their children’s school experience. They can do so during a number of events and activities throughout the year. Additional information is at www.dc.k12.mn.us. Middle school As part of its mission, the Dassel-Cokato Middle School program is designed to meet the special needs of middle- level students, grades fi ve through eight, with a program that strives to be “transitional in nature.” It provides students with a “bridge between the self-contained classroom of the elementary school, and the departmentalized curriculum of the high school.” To open enroll in Dassel-Cokato Middle School, call 320- 286-4100, ext. 1600. High school Dassel-Cokato High School believes in promoting positive relationships, personal responsibility, and academic rigor in order to prepare students for success in a changing world. Along with a range of academic opportunities, including advanced placement (AP) and college-credit courses, the high school offers a variety of extracurricular and cocurricular activities for those interested in participating in athletics and fi ne arts. DCHS believes in being responsive to the needs of students, and challenging them to reach their potential. 26 | DASSEL-COKATO VISITORS GUIDE 2019-20 With this in mind, students tudents in fi fth through eighth grades use Chromebooks in the classrooms on a daily basis, which continues the district’s goal of providing students more learning opportunities through access to technology. Teachers also receive ongoing staff development training to help them make the best use of technology The high school also offers courses taught at the school that equate to more than 50 college credits through Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, Ridgewater College, and the University of Minnesota. The high school can be reached at 320-286-4100, ext. 1800. Community Education Dassel-Cokato Community Education provides lifelong learning experiences for people of all ages, abilities, and cultures through programs and services offered year-round. Programs include youth enrichment and recreation, adult basic education, life-long learning, and recreation. DC Community Education also provides school-age child care through the Charger Kids Club before and after school, and all day in the summer. Activities and enrichment courses vary throughout the seasons. Visit the community education website for details on programming, www.dc.k12.mn.us/commed, or call 320- 286-4120. Dassel-Cokato Early Childhood The Dassel-Cokato Early Childhood Center is located on the Dassel-Cokato High School/Middle School campus, and its programming is under the umbrella of Dassel-Cokato Community Education. Providing services to families with children ages birth through kindergarten, programming includes Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), school readiness Play ‘n’ Learn Preschool, and early childhood screening. More information regarding these programs can be found at www.dc.k12.mn.us/ecfe, or by calling 320-286-4120.