Delano PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Submitted by Delano Public Schools
Why are Delano Public Schools a District of Choice?
The Delano School District, established in the 1800s, covers
a 66-square-mile area that extends to the communities of
Corcoran, Independence, Loretto, Maple Plain, Medina,
Minnetrista, Montrose and Watertown, parts of Franklin,
Rockford and Woodland townships, and the city of Delano.
Delano’s schools have regularly been recognized for the
quality of their academic programs. The teaching staff is
committed to professional growth, as evidenced by the fact
that about 71 percent hold a master’s or other advanced
degree. In addition, a teacher-mentorship program and
peer coaching program support new staff members at each
school.
The efforts of the faculty are refl ected in the performance of
the district’s 2,470 students. Delano students who graduated
in 2019 posted an average composite score of 23.6 in the
ACT, compared to a state average of 21.4 and a nationwide
average of 20.7.
In addition, Delano was the only school district in Minnesota
named to the AP Honor Roll in 2019 for simultaneously
increasing the number of students taking AP courses and
improving performance in those courses. Only 250 districts
across the United States and Canada achieved that feat. It
was the fourth time in the past fi ve years that Delano qualifi ed
for the honor.
The district has also scored well above the stage average
in the annual Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments tests,
and Delano High School was among just 31 high schools in
Minnesota to receive the 2019 College Success Award from
GreatSchools.org.
Recognition has come from various other quarters as well.
The website SchoolDigger.com ranked Delano No. 9 out of
441 Minnesota districts analyzed in 2017 and 2018. In early
2018, the National Council for Home Safety and Security
ranked Delano among the top 3 percent nationwide on its
Best School Districts in America list. In 2019, Niche.com ranked
Delano Public Schools No. 18 in Minnesota, and in 2013,
Forbes magazine named Delano No. 1 in the nation on its
Best Schools For Your Housing Buck list.
Five-Year Strategic Plan
In 2019, Delano Public Schools updated its fi ve-year strategic
plan, refi ning both its vision and its mission statements in four
main areas. The district’s vision is: “Systemic growth toward
educational excellence for every learner.” The four areas of
focus are technology, professional development, curriculum,
and facilities.
Mission statements for each of those four main pillars in the
strategic plan are as follows. Technology: Provide a fl exible,
digital learning environment that enhances curriculum,
instruction, assessment and professional development.
Professional development: Provide professional development
opportunities supporting the district aims in curriculum and
technology. Curriculum: Provide a well-rounded curriculum
that is systemically aligned through all tiers of service. Facilities:
Provide a comprehensive facility plan for the district campus
that maximizes the PreK-Adult environment and supports co-
curricular opportunities.
Each of these areas includes specifi c short-term work plans
that set goals and provide specifi c action steps to meet those
goals. The plan exists to ensure that the district continues
adding to its tradition of educational excellence.
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Submitted photo
Members of the Delano School Board are (front) Vice ChairCorey Black,
Chair Lisa Seguin, Director Amy Johnson, (back) Student Representative
Bridget Sundheim, Treausurer Alan Briesemeister, Director Sue Roeser,
Director Jennie Rosenow, Clerk Rachel Depa, and Student Representative
Spencer Poll.
Facilities
In the fall of 2015, Delano Public Schools passed a $65 million
bond referendum. This allowed the district to address space
constraints by redesigning the high school from a 9-12 building
into a 7-12 secondary school, building a new intermediate
school for grades 4-6, and making improvements to the
elementary school. Additional improvements included a new
performing arts center, diving well and turf fi elds at the high
school, as well as improvements to the Tiger Activity Center.
The Community Education building received accessibility
and security upgrades. Major construction was completed in
December of 2018.
Just west of campus, the early childhood programs are
housed in the Delano Community Education building. Delano
Community Education coordinates the use of school facilities
by community organizations, individuals and businesses. Call
763-972-3365, ext. 1201, for information on reserving facility
space.
Early Childhood Family Education
The goals of Delano Early Childhood programs are to
strengthen families and support parents, helping them
provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth
and development of their children from birth to kindergarten.
ECFE offers parent-child classes, school readiness programs,
preschool, and early childhood health and developmental
screening.
Recognizing that the home is the fi rst learning environment,
these programs teach parents how to educate and interact
with their children. ECFE gives children a head start, identifi es
current or potential learning problems, and helps build strong
families. This foundation is vital to a child’s learning during
their early years and future school careers.
For more information on ECFE programs call 763-972-6210,
or visit www.delanocommunityed.com for a list of current
classes and events.
Delano Elementary School
In the fall of 2018, Delano Elementary transitioned from a K-4
Official DELANO GUIDE BOOK 2020