Coon Rapids biomedical students
to get experience from industry Awards and honors abound
for Anoka-Hennepin staff District music program named
one of nation’s best Partnership brings energy
to the classroom
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ANOKA
-
HENNEPIN
SCHOOL
ON ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOLS
DISTRICT
SPRING 2019
High School graduation rates continue to rise
Anoka-Hennepin increases 3.37% in one year, above state average by same amount
increases – 4.84 percentage points at Andover and 4.16
percentage points at Coon Rapids. Anoka had a gain of
2.31 percentage points, Blaine 2.06 percentage points and
Champlin Park 0.61 percentage points.
Students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District are
graduating from high school in greater numbers. In fact,
the four-year graduation rate has been steadily increasing
the last several years, including a 3.37 percentage point
increase in 2018 putting the district’s graduation rate at
86.57% of all students. Looking at the last five-year period,
this is a gain of nearly five percentage points overall. Rates
for key subgroups also continue to climb.
Of the 12 subgroups measured, 10 earned diplomas
higher than the state average. In 2018, the graduation rate
for American Indian/Alaskan Native students jumped more
than 20 percentage points and rates for English learner
students increased more than 10 percentage points. The
graduation rate for students eligible for free/reduced priced
meals as well as female students also made large gains.
“These results reflect the investment, hard work and
dedication Anoka-Hennepin staff are making to connect
with all students,” said Tom Heidemann, School Board
chair. “Beyond the data points are teachers, paraeducators,
support staff, and administrators doing their best to help
students, and their results are paying off.”
“It’s our mission to have every student succeed.” said
Heidemann. “We’re really fortunate to have such dedicat-
ed staff and supportive communities to help us with this
work. We’ve listened and we’re making a difference as a
result.” n
Gains were recorded at the district’s five traditional high
schools. Andover and Coon Rapids had the greatest
100
80
82.68% 83.20%
60
40
+
0.52%
83.20% 86.57%
+
3.37%
92.20% 97.04%
+
4.84%
89.53% 91.84%
+
2.31%
89.82% 91.88%
+
2.06%
84.51% 88.67%
+
4.16%
91.94% 92.55%
+
0.61%
20
0
2017
2018
STATE
2017
2018
ANOKA-
HENNEPIN
2017
2018
ANDOVER
2017
2018
ANOKA
2017
2018
BLAINE
2017
2018
COON
RAPIDS
2017
2018
CHAMPLIN
PARK
Voters approved The Fit for the Future plan in November of
2017. The district is on schedule and within budget for the seven
construction projects included in the first phase of development.
Here is an update on schools under major construction:
• Andover High School: The 600 student, two story classroom addition on front of the building is enclosed with work continuing
to ensure the space is ready for the start of the 2019-20 school year. The auditorium and cafeteria expansion are progressing
on schedule. Phase two planning to add physical education space and an outdoor adventures classroom and parking as major
components is underway.
• Anoka High School: The “makerspace” in the school media center is complete. Students and staff have navigated through the
construction in the new main entry. Foundations and walls are taking shape and on-track for completion in time for the next
school year. Anoka High School projects will be completed over three years.
• Blaine High School: The cafeteria walls are being painted, the roof is on, and glass walls are complete. When site work is
complete, exits will be opened to allow space to be used this spring. The two story, 15 classroom addition is moving along
as the structure is enclosed and interior walls are going up. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are being installed. Phase two
planning is set to begin this spring.
• Champlin Park High School: Construction crews continue to work on a classroom addition that must be completed prior to
the removal of portable classrooms. Work is also progressing on the the fitness addition on the east side of the building.
Phase two planning is set to begin this spring.
• Coon Rapids High School: Weather challenges with cold and snow impacted construction schedules. Regardless, a new main
entrance designed to improve building security is set to be completed by the start of school in the fall. Traffic flow for after-
noon and evening events in the fieldhouse and auditorium will be separated from the classroom areas through this project.
• Construction completion for the new Brookside Elementary School in Ramsey and Sunrise Elementary School in Blaine are
expected in July, ahead of schedule. The district is working with city and county officials to complete traffic controls at the
sites. Final asphalt for parking lots will be installed over the summer.
• Check for construction updates and timelines at ahschools.us/FitForTheFuture. n
Numbers
important, but
don’t tell the
whole story
By Superintendent
David Law
When students cross the
stage at graduation in the
weeks ahead, the combined
effort and hard work by
students, parents/guardians,
teachers and those who
support them is realized. It’s a
source of pride for all involved
and a cause for celebration.
Our schools are now
graduating a higher percent-
age of students than anytime
in recent history. In 2018,
diplomas were presented to
86.57% of seniors, a 3.37
percentage point increase
from the year before. In total,
the district outpaced the state
average by that same margin.
Coon Rapids and Andover
high schools each increased
graduation rates by four
percentage points. Anoka,
Blaine, and Champlin Park
high schools also had steady
climbs.
Notably, many of the
Anoka-Hennepin students
who don’t graduate within
four years stay in school. An
additional 10% of students
typically earn their diploma
the next school year, making
our complete graduation rate
closer to 97%.
continued on page 3