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 370-member
teaching staff is committed to professional growth, as
evidenced by the fact that about 71 percent of faculty
members 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 reflected in the performance
of the district’s 2,470 students. Over the past seven years,
Delano students have posted an average composite ACT
score of 23.59, while the state average during the same time
period was 22.3.
In addition, the district scored well above the state
average in the MCA tests, and 66 percent of students who
took Advanced Placement courses were eligible for college
credit by scoring 3 or above. Delano was one of just seven
districts in Minnesota to earn a place on the national AP
Honor Roll in 2017, and was also on the AP Honor Roll in 2016
and 2015.
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 2013 Forbes magazine
named Delano No. 1 in the nation on its Best Schools For Your
Housing Buck list.
5-Year Strategic Plan
Delano Public Schools facilitated a strategic planning
process beginning in April of 2013 that included feedback
from employees, parents and greater Delano Public Schools
communities. The process was completed in June of 2013,
and the Delano Board of Education approved the plan in
July. That plan is being updated for another five years in
2019.
The purpose in developing a strategic plan is to focus on
a clearly articulated vision: “Systemic academic growth
to promote educational excellence and continuous
improvement for every learner in a digital society.”
Four major benchmarks identified in the plan are
Technology, Curriculum, Professional Development and
Facilities. Each benchmark contains specific short-term work
plans that provide a vision, annual short-term goals, and
specific action steps to meet those goals. The plan exists to
ensure that the district continues adding to its tradition of
educational excellence.
Facilities
In the fall of 2015 Delano Public Schools passed a $65-
million bond referendum, which allowed the district to
respond to the Facilities Committee recommendation
approved by the Delano School Board in June of 2015. This
recommendation called for the redesign of the high school
from a 9-12 school building into a 7-12 secondary school,
Submitted photo
Members of the Delano School Board are (front) Clerk Corey Black, Chair
Mark Larson, Vice Chair Lisa Seguin, (back) Alan Briesemeister, Jennie
Rosenow, Rachel Depa, and Treasurer Amy Johnson.
the construction of a new intermediate school for grades
4-6, accessibility and security upgrades to the Community
Education building, the construction of a new performing
arts center, and improvements to athletic facilities and the
Tiger Activity Center. Major construction was completed in
December of 2018.
The district’s goal is to provide 21st Century facilities
that meet the needs of educational, co-curricular and
community-based programs while remaining on one
campus.
Just west of the 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 (ECFE)
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 first learning environment,
these programs teach parents how to educate and interact
with their children. ECFE gives children a head start, identifies
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
and press 4, or visit www.delanocommunityed.com for a list
of current classes and events.
Delano Elementary School (DES)
In the fall of 2018 Delano Elementary transitioned from a K-4
to a K-3 building due to the opening of Delano Intermediate
School. The school’s mission is to educate individuals to be
lifelong learners, possessing the skills, knowledge, creativity,
sense of self-worth, and citizenship necessary to function and
flourish in a rapidly changing society. The curriculum and
special programs at DES reflect a commitment to providing
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