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Accolades continue for Battle Lake School District [UPDATED]
Published 9:00am Wednesday, June 20, 2012 Updated 12:06pm Wednesday, June 20, 2012The past year was another banner year for the Battle Lake Public School District.
The past couple of years have seen the district gather numerous academic awards and the district has continued to build a reputation for outstanding student achievement at the local, state and national levels.
The most recent accolade came from the Minnesota Department of Education a couple of weeks ago. Battle Lake High School was one of a handful of Minnesota Public High Schools to be named a “Reward School.”
A “Reward School” means that the school was one of the highest performing schools in the state — placing it in the top 15 percent of the schools that receive Title I funding.
Superintendent and High School Principal Jeff Drake received a congratulatory letter from Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner, Dr. Brenda Cassellius on behalf of the high school.
The following are excerpts from the letter, “It takes focus and commitment to put systems and strategies in place that yield the kind of results your school has shown. You and your entire team deserve sincere congratulations for this outstanding accomplishment.
“Again, please accept my best wishes on your remarkable accomplishment, and thank you for your work to ensure every Minnesota child reaches their highest potential.”
Drake took a moment to reflect on what was accomplished during the past school year.
“Most importantly, we graduated a wonderful senior class that is very talented. They represent the philosophy we embrace in promoting student commitment to academic excellence and participation in the arts and athletics. We also received a huge honor last fall as Battle Lake Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School. This is widely considered to be the top honor bestowed on schools in the country.”
The list of special recognitions didn’t end there. The high school received a regional Star of Innovation Award from the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals for a program developed by teacher Steve Bradsteen and first aid instructor Dean Nelson to certify students in first aid, CPR and the use of AED machines.
This spring, U.S. News and World Reports listed Battle Lake High School as one of America’s Best High Schools. The district has received this recognition on several occasions. Selection is based on student achievement.
