NEXT GENERATION

2012-2013ANNUAL REPORTFOR OUR COMMUNITY

Welcome to the 2013 Annual Report

In addition to serving as a vehicle for accountability with our stakeholders, the 2013 Annual Report is a great opportunity to celebrate the successes of our students and the district. The shared results are impressive and demonstrate the power of our district’s commitment to partnership. I believe the successes highlighted in this report are the result of a collaborative effort among students, staff, parents, families and community. This partnership effort is truly valued and appreciated in Edina. It is one in which our entire community can take pride knowing that their support contributed to the learning and growth of our young people.

The Annual Report also demonstrates our commitment to the process of continuous improvement. As a district, we do use data cited in this report, as well as other critical data related to learning and performance, to establish improvement goals. These goals are implemented at the district, school, program/department, and individual levels. The goals build on our current achievements in a way that ensures next year’s report will include evidences of an even stronger school system.

Ric DressenSuperintendent

ALL FOR ALLThe mission of Edina

Public Schools, working in partnership with the family

and the community, is to educate all individuals to be

responsible, lifelong learners who possess the skills,

knowledge, creativity, sense of self-worth, and ethical

values necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, culturally

diverse, global society.

SCROLL OVER THE PHOTOS TO VIEW LARGER IMAGE

WELCOME

Edina Public Schools is a nationally recognized suburban public school district serving a large portion of the city of Edina. The district includes six elementary schools (gr. K-5), two middle schools (gr. 6-9), and one high school (gr. 10-12). The district also includes the award winning Edina Family Center, providing early learning opportunities for children from birth to age five, and their families; and the district’s Community Education Services provides programs and services for learners of all ages, from birth through age 85+.

20022003 4% 9% 7,113 STUDENTS

7,834 STUDENTS

8,322 STUDENTS

15%

19%

7%

8.5%

20072008

20122013

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

FREE/RED. LUNCH

STUDENTSOF COLOR

4% 86%

+14%STUDENTS JOIN

THROUGH OPEN ENROLLMENT

SPEC

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ERVI

CES

ENGL

ISH

LEAR

NERS

RESI

DENT

ENRO

LLM

ENT

ATTE

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OST-

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NDAR

Y

GRAD

UATE

FROM

EPS

99%

44LANGUAGES

SPOKEN AT HOME

Current student enrollment in EPS is 8,385 students11% 95%

DISTRICTPROFILE

State and national assessment results indicate strong overall student achievement performance. In 2012-13, EPS saw gains over the previous years in most areas.

In addition, • almost 97% of students passed the GRAD Writing test

onthefirsttry;• the district’ ACT composite score of 26.2 was three

points higher than the state average and six points higher thanthenationalaverage);notablyoutpacingtheirpeersoncollegeandcareerreadybenchmarks;and,

• the district met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) expectations in all areas for all groups as required under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, and its two Title I schools (i.e., schools with high concentrations of students in poverty) achieved Reward School designation.

• However, the Achievement Gap in EPS continues, with some student groups achieving in reading and math at rates 40% lower their peers in other student groups.

MATH READING SCIENCE

61%

82%

58%

81%

52%

69%

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)TESTINGEPS offers over 25 AP classes for students in grades 9-12. In 2012-13, 1,138 students (over half of all high school students) took AP tests, 85% of which earned a score of 3 or higher, and 59% earned a 4 or higher, qualifying them for college credit. EPS administers almost twice as many AP exams as other Minnesota high schools.

NUMBER OFAP STUDENTS

NUMBER OFTESTS TAKEN 2008-09 2010-11 2012-13

871

1,9232,103

2,289

1,0031,138

85%SCORE

3+82%SCORE

3+84%

SCORE3+

2012-13 MCA RESULTSPercent Proficient, by State and District

• Edina Public Schools is the top performing MN public school district in reading (20-25 percentage points above the MN average)

• There was a 9 percentage point gain in high schoolmathproficiencyoverlastyear

• There was a 2.5-6% increase in science proficiencyacrosstheschooldistrict.

MN PERCENT PROFICIENT

EDINA PERCENT PROFICIENT

STUDENTACHIEVEMENT

AWARDS& HONORS

EHS identified among top schools in the nationAccording to their respective annual lists, Newsweek/The Daily Beast, The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Reports, all ranked Edina High School as a top high school in the nation for the 2012-13 academic year.

Four EPS students earned Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards (MSAA) for their artistic creations. Valley View Middle School student Harrison Heinks also won a gold medal in the National Scholastic Art & Writing Competition.

Normandale Elementary named 2012 National Blue Ribbon SchoolFrench Immersion School was one of seven Minnesota schools to earn recognition for student achievement from the U.S. Department of Education.

For the third year in a row, Edina was named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young PeopleAnnual competition recognizes communities that prioritize youth education and well-being.

Edina Hornets achieve 150 State ChampionshipsIn 2012-13, the Edina High School Hornets brought home two state championships including its 11th hockey championship and a record-breaking 16th consecutive title for the girls tennis team.

As part of its implementation of the 2012-15 Strategic Plan, the “All for All” plan of Edina Public Schools looks at ways to ensure academic growth and high achievement for each and every student, regardless of their back-ground,.

“This concept of All for All is not new. It has been the core of our district’s mission for over twenty years,” said Super-intendent Ric Dressen. “However, we know that we have some students who are not achieving as well as others, and others who may be testing well but are not reaching their full potential. We must look at new strategies that will have the greatest impact not only on the students that are in our schools now, but also for those that will be part of the district’s future.”

The district’s Educational Delivery Committee, consisting of principals and representatives from a variety of district departments, have been developing strategies to close fivekeygapareas:leadershipgap;beliefgap;preparationgap;teachingandlearninggap;andtimegap,modeledafter a report by Jeffrey Hassan and Eric Mahmoud.

“It’s about identifying and clarifying beliefs about learning expectations for each and every student and ways that we can create the pathways for students’ college and career readiness after high school,” said Director of Research and Evaluation Chad Schmidt. “It’s also about providing

training and tools for our staff to advance the work and ensure all students are able to reach their full potential.”

According to Director of Enrollment and School Improve-ment Mary Manderfeld, the staff and community need to have to recognize that the students coming through school doors today are different than those in the past. The All for All plan is one tool to help respond to the changing needs of its students.

“We will only be as good as our students are and our goal is to prepare all of our children to be successful when they leave EPS and being their next journey in life,” Manderfeld said. “This plan is about all of us – students, families, staff, and community – working together to reach that goal.”

District’s All for All plan identifies strategies to close gaps Commitment to ensuring academic growth and removal of barriers key to continued excellence

ALL FOR ALL

FIVE GAP AREAS: • Leadership Gap• Belief Gap• Preparation Gap• Teaching & Learning Gap• Time Gap

In May 2012, the School Board approved a ten-year alternative facilities plan, providing scheduled maintenance and infrastructure improvements at all of the district’s facilities. A combinationofthedistrict’ssizeandaverageageofbuildings(40years)qualifiesEPSforspecialfinancingfromthestatetofundsuchprojects. TheTen-YearAlternativeFacilitiesPlanisfinancedthroughacombinationofalternativefacilitiesbonds and “pay as you go” alternative facilities levies, both of which are dedicated funding sources that can only be used for deferred maintenance projects.

The goal of the ten-year plan, according to Margo Bauck, Director of Business Services, is to address critical asset prevention needs throughout the district, focusing on interior needs suchasventilationandplumbing,andexteriorissuessuchasroofing,buildingenvelope(e,g.window replacement, tuckpointing), and parking and paving issues. Per Minnesota Department of Education regulations, alternative facilities funding can only be used for basic facility improvements,andcannotbeusedfornewconstructionorsignificantfacilityenhancements.

ThefirstmajorprojectoftheplanwascompletedthissummeratConcordElementarySchool.Specifically,Concordnowhasanewheatingventilationsysteminalignmentwithindoorairqualityrequirementsaswellasanewchilleddehumidificationsystemandcontrolstocreateamore comfortable learning environment for students and staff.

In addition to ongoing maintenance needs provided for in the alternative facilities plan, the district established a Facilities Advisory Taskforce in the fall of 2012 to provide input and feedback to the School Board Finance and Facilities Committee on possible enhancements of district facilities. Someoftheissuesfacingthetaskforceinclude:

• Expansion of the district’s all-day kindergarten program in 2014-15,• Explorationofgradeconfigurationoptionsinlightofcurrentfacilitystructures,• Opportunities for new educational spaces to align with the strategic plan• Impacts of residential redevelopment projects in the City of Edina • Enhancement of district facilities related to building safety10YrFacilitiesPlan.pdf, and • Expanded needs for athletics and extra-curricular programs

The Facilities Advisory Taskforce is currently on hold while programming recommendations are developedbythesecondaryandbirththroughgradefiveacademicstudies.

FACILITIES

In June 2013, the School Board approved the frame-work for the Secondary Academic Program Study, part of the district’s 2012-15 Next Generation of Edina Public Schools (EPS) strategic plan. Approval of the frameworksignifiesthecompletionofthefirstphaseof the study, articulating a vision of excellence for EPS’s grades six through twelve program.

Director of Teaching and Learning, Randy Smasal noted that the framework lays out a plan that will be put into place over the next few years and that the charge in phase one was to articulate the ‘why’ and ‘what’ of the secondary study plan.

“The next step is critical as we engage staff, stu-dents and families in the ‘how’,” said Smasal. “The framework outlines a strategic look at the secondary program while retaining the core excellence of Edina. Students will be learning fundamental concepts and subjects, but will be doing so in different, more per-sonalized ways. The shift is to focus more on learning rather than just teaching.”

This fall, the district moved into the implementa-tion phase of the study, forming a tactical team of secondary teachers and administrators to research best practices and innovative strategies, gather input from colleagues, students and families, and eventually

develop action steps. They are focusing their work on thefivecorestrategiesandvisionoutcomes(CSVOs)of the framework which include global prepared-nessandcompetence;personaldevelopmentandindependentlifeskills;personalizedlearningandadvising;focusedstudentandstaffcollaboration;andappropriateandflexibletimeandspace.Thegoalistodevelop implementation plan to allow for some piloting andadditionalrefinementduring2014-15,withfullimplementation slated for 2015-16.

“We are undertaking our strategic work through a ‘backwards design’ approach – identifying what it is that we want our students to leave our system with upon graduation, and then working back through the younger grades and ages,” said Smasal.

The intent is to align it the team’s work with that of the district’s other academic program study, Birth through Grade 5, which began this fall. “In the end, we will have a vertically aligned educational program focused on ensuring each learner in the system is able to advance at their own pace and leave our system with the critical skills and assets they will need to be successful,” Smasal said.

New framework for Secondary Academic Program approvedStudy moves into implementation planning

SECONDARY

STUDY

As part of its strategic plan to tailor the learning experience for all students, Edina Public Schools (EPS) launched in 2012-13 its eLearning2 initiative. The goal of eLearning2 is to move beyond a Bring Your Own Device program, which allows students to use their own digital devices in class, to a focus on the combination of great teachers and personal technologies to take learning to the next level .It serves to engage students through a more personalized educational experience and allows them to take more ownership of their learning.

The eLearning2 initiative was piloted in grade nine last year. In order to make sure all students had access to personal technologies, the district forged a unique partnership with Best Buy to offer discounted prices on devices as well as in-school technology support from its Geek Squad. The program encourages students to utilize their own personal learning device to further engage and inspire their learning.

“This student –centered initiative gives our kids the choice and ownership of selecting a device that suits their learning style and strengthens their academics, preparing them for high school and beyond,” said Tim Berndt, Technology Specialist and coordinator of eLearning2 program. “Teachers are able to provide more creative and global opportunities in how they design their curriculum and assignments, and students have instant access to supplemental resources and information online to further their learning anytime, anywhere.”

With the eLearning2 initiative, students have been able to learn how to use personal technologies to expand their abilities to communicate, collaborate, problem solve, and create, all of which are critical skills

for today’s learning and tomorrow’s workforce. In addition, the district provided resources for students and their families to better understand how to manage and maintain their devices in the digital age. Survey results from the ninth grade pilot indicated 88 percent of students used their personal devices in class several days each week, with nearly three-quarters noting the devices increased their motivation and reinforced their learning.

“Last year’s pilot program demonstrated the excitement students had about using their devices at school for learning,” said Berndt. “It continues to be a shift for both staff and students, but the early indications are that it is a positive approach to integrating technology, and one we are excited to expand to additional grade levels.”

This fall, the eLearning2 program was expanded to grades six, nine, and ten. The district continues to work with teachers on strategies to how best to incorporate technology into their instruction. Berndt said it is important to recognize that not every lesson requires technology, but if used appropriately, it can be a way to better engage students and get them excited about learning.

“The power of eLearning2 is in the integration of quality instruction and personal technology. By looking both at how teachers teach and how learners learn, we can take education to the next level,” said Superintendent Ric Dressen. “And this innovative partnership with Best Buy allows us to provide a sustainable approach to learning technology that focuses less on the device itself, and more on individual choice and ownership on the part of the student.”

eLearning2 provides unique approach to technology integration, further engaging students in their learningSuccessful pilot initiative with Best Buy expanded for 2013-14

PER PUPIL EXPENDITURES

INSTRUCTION

MAINTENANCE, CAPITAL, UTILITIES

DISTRICT SUPPORT

ADMINISTRATION

79%

15%

3%

3%

67%STATE

29%PROPERTY

TAXES

2% 2%FEDERALOTHERLOCAL

WHERE DOES EPS SPEND ITS MONEY?2012-13 Expenditures by Object

Salaries + Bene ts = 82% Total Cost

5% 4%

9%

INSTRUCTIONALSUPPLIES

CAPITAL EXPENSES

PURCHASEDSERVICES

62%

SALARYBENEFITS

20%

WHERE DOES EPS GET ITS MONEY?2012-13 Revenue by Source

FINANCE& OPERATIONS

CONTACT US

Concord Elementary (K-5)5900 Concord Avenue S.Edina, MN 55424952-848-4300edinaschools.org/concord

Cornelia Elementary (K-5)7000 Cornelia DriveEdina, MN 55435952-848-4600edinaschools.org/cornelia

Countryside Elementary (K-5)5701 Benton Avenue S.Edina, MN 55436952-848-4700edinaschools.org/countryside

Creek Valley Elementary (K-5)6401 Gleason RoadEdina, MN 55439952-848-3200edinaschools.org/creekvalley

Highlands Elementary (K-5)5505 Doncaster Way Edina, MN 55436952-848-4500edinaschools.org/highlands

Normandale Elementary (K-5)French Immersion School5701 Normandale RoadEdina, MN 55424952-848-4100edinaschools.org/normandale

DISTRICT offICEEdina Community Center 5701 Normandale RoadEdina, MN 55424 952-848-3900 www.edinaschools.orginfo@edinaschools.org

STuDENT REGISTRATIoNWelcome Center, Room 171 Edina Community CenterOpen Monday through Friday 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. 952-848-4585

CommuNITY EDuCATIoN Edina Community CenterSuite 100952-848-3952www.edinacommunityed.orgcomedu@edinaschools.org

South View middle School (6-9)4725SouthViewLaneEdina, MN 55436952-848-3700edinaschools.org/southview

Valley View middle School (6-9)6750ValleyViewRoadEdina, MN 55439952-848-3500edinaschools.org/valleyview

Edina High School (10-12)6754ValleyViewRoadEdina, MN 55439952-848-3800edinaschools.org/edinahigh

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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