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Four area schools chosen by U.S. News and World Report
Published 06:52 a.m., December 18, 2009
Information released by U.S. News and World Report magazine indicates four area schools are ranked among the top in the country.
Battle Lake, Rothsay, New York Mills and Underwood were four of 28 schools in the state to be included in the magazine’s Bronze Medal Schools category.
“It’s a big deal,” said Battle Lake principal Jeff Drake. “It’s just been a fantastic year for us. This is just another accolade that the school has received based on the work that our teachers are doing and the accomplishments of our students.”
This is the first year the Battle Lake School has made the magazine’s list, which Drake attributes to the district’s high priority on academic rigor.
It’s the second year Rothsay received the award, providing yet another round of encouragement for staff and students.
“It’s always great to get an award,” said Rothsay superintendent Mary Donohue Stetz. “We strive to be excellent in everything we do.”
Donohue Stetz says Rothsay’s small class sizes provide an opportunity for students to connect with their teachers, resulting in a well-rounded education.
“Being small, being personalized allows us to meet the needs of each kid,” Donohue Stetz said.
In Underwood, this was the third year of celebrations.
“This is a reflection that the staff and students are doing the right thing,” said superintendent Gary Sletten in a November interview with The Journal. “We have a great staff and a fantastic student body.”
In New York Mills, news of the distinction was quite a surprise.
“I do believe this is a nice honor for our school district,” principal Blaine Novak said in a statement. “It shows that our faculty is working toward success for all of our students.”
Information that led to the bronze distinction was released by the Minnesota Department of Education. Schools are judged on three areas of strength, including test scores of those students who sit at or below the poverty level, a calculation determined by a student’s qualification for free and reduced lunch.
A school’s ability to exceed performance standards, despite significant levels of poverty is also taken into consideration, as well as a district’s overall participation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exam programs.
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