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Anoka-Hennepin ’ s 2015-16 Above & Beyond Award winners announced
Anoka-Hennepin ' s 2016 Above & Beyond Award winners , from left , Joan Spehar , Gretchen Wibben , Derek Williamson , Marie Martineau , Linda Anderson , Colleen Heier , Brian Ross , Karla Haij , and Jon Mathisen .
Nine outstanding district employees have been selected as the Anoka-Hennepin School District ’ s 2015-16 Above & Beyond Award winners . They are :
• Linda Anderson , director of student services , Educational Service Center .
• Karla Haij , English and theater teacher , Coon Rapids High School .
• Colleen Heier , special education paraeducator , Roosevelt Middle School .
• Marie Martineau , third grade teacher , Wilson Elementary School .
• Jon Mathisen , school resource officer , Andover High School .
• Brian Ross , industrial technology teacher , Coon Rapids Middle School .
• Joan Spehar , physical education teacher , Champlin Park High School .
• Gretchen Wibben , reading teacher , Coon Rapids Middle School .
• Derek Williamson , fourth grade teacher , Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts .
Award winners and their guests were recognized at an award ceremony Wednesday , April 27 . For more information , visit anoka . k12 . mn . us / abovebeyond .
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation ( AHEF ) and the Anoka- Hennepin School District sponsor the Above & Beyond Awards program jointly . Its mission is to recognize outstanding employees for innovation , creativity , caring and commitment . Award recipients were nominated by parents , students and colleagues and were selected by a panel of community representatives , staff and principals . ■
Anoka-Hennepin graduation rates soar
The Anoka-Hennepin School District ’ s graduation rate jumped more than 4 percent in 2015 , continuing a dramatic upward trend that began four years ago .
In 2015 , 86 percent of Anoka-Hennepin high school seniors graduated on time , which is a substantial 4 percent increase from the 82 percent who earned their diplomas on time in 2014 . What ’ s more , since 2012 , the district ’ s graduation numbers have jumped 10 points , from 76 percent , and all student subgroups are earning diplomas at rates better than state averages .
“ This marks the fourth straight year we ’ ve seen growth in the number of students earning their diplomas on time in Anoka-Hennepin ,” Superintendent David Law said . “ Not only are we preparing our students for life , but we are increasingly ensuring all students graduate .”
In 2015 , the graduation rate for Hispanic / Latino students jumped more than 10 percent , and rates for Asian / Pacific Islander students increased more than 7 percent . The graduation rate for African-American students as well as white students also made large gains .
In addition , the graduation rate for students eligible for free and reduced lunch rose more than 8 percent in 2015 . For perspective , approximately 31 percent of Anoka-Hennepin seniors are eligible for free and reduced lunch .
“ It ’ s wonderful news and a moment of pride for the hard working staff in Anoka-Hennepin ’ s schools ,” Law said . “ But there ’ s still work to do — work that we ’ re looking forward to doing .”
For more information on statewide graduation rates , visit the Minnesota Department of Education ’ s website . ■
Anoka-Hennepin earns national acclaim , named to AP ’ s ‘ honor roll ’
The Anoka-Hennepin School District has been named to the Advanced Placement ( AP ) Honor Roll for increasing the number of students taking AP courses while also maintaining or increasing exam scores .
Just 425 school districts in the U . S . and Canada , and 13 in the state of Minnesota , earned a spot on the honor roll . Anoka- Hennepin also made the honor roll in 2011 .
The Anoka-Hennepin School District has been working diligently to increase participation in advanced-level courses , according to Jeff McGonigal , associate superintendent for high school education .
“ Our goal is to have all our students college-ready after their senior year ,” he said . “ That doesn ’ t mean we believe all students should attend a four-year college necessarily . Instead , it means all our students are ready for any number of post-secondary options , including trades , technical training , certificate programs , and college . Advanced courses boost student ’ s preparation for post-secondary learning .”
Being named to the AP honor roll is an indication Anoka-Hennepin is on the right track , McGonigal said .
“ This award is one indicator that our efforts have been valuable ,” he said . “ We ’ ve been working hard to increase the academic outcomes for all students .”
AP courses are a large part of Anoka- Hennepin ’ s advanced curriculum , McGonigal said , but not the only one .
The Anoka-Hennepin School District is one of just 425 in the nation to be named to the Advanced Placement Honor Roll .
“ We also have concurrent college courses , post-secondary enrollment options ( PSEO ), and at Champlin Park High School , and International Baccalaureate program ,” he said . “ With the addition of our Secondary Technical Education Program [ STEP ], we offer a very complete advanced program to our students .”
Specifically , the AP honor roll recognizes districts that are able to maintain or improve the rate at which students earn scores of three or higher on their AP course exams . Exams are scored on a scale of one to five — with five being the best — and gauge whether a student knows enough about a topic to allow them to skip an equivalent college course .
In Anoka-Hennepin , participation in AP classes increased more than 4 percent , including increases among African American , Hispanic / Latino , and American Indian / Alaska Native students . ■