Northeast Metro Business VHEDC 2018 | Page 57

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND, BENEFITING EDUCATION WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 624 The City of Vadnais Heights is primarily served by White Bear Lake Area Schools, a district with approximately 9,000 students PreK – 12. The student experience is well-rounded. Core values of compassion, integrity, respect, responsibility and service – and a mission focused on ensuring students develop a love for learning and excel academically – inspire students to realize their dreams and become engaged citizens with a global understanding. 4-STAR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM The district’s four-star-rated Early Childhood Programs (children, birth through age five) are offered at convenient locations in White Bear Lake, Hugo, White Bear Township and Vadnais Heights. ELEMENTARY PARTNERSHIPS Elementary students benefit from partnerships with White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake Area Schools YMCA Aquatic Center, and MacPhail Center for Music, among other local organizations. At Vadnais Heights Elementary, specifically, partnership with Tamarack Nature Center provided experiential learning opportunities on environmental issues as students turned an 11-acre area behind the school into a “Bears Backyard” outdoor classroom. At Otter Lake Elementary, which is adjacent to Tamarack and also serves students living in Vadnais Heights, students visit the nature center for seasonal outdoor lessons. PATHS TO SUCCESS District high school students have the opportunity to earn college credit in more than 40 courses. The total value of credits earned by WBLAHS students in college-level courses last year was $2.4 million at University of Minnesota tuition rates. The district’s Career Pathways initiative also offers students a range of options in manufacturing, construction, IT and healthcare. MULTI-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES Chinese is offered at Vadnais Heights and Lincoln Elementary Schools, and Spanish is offered at all other elementary buildings. Middle school students can take three years of Chinese, French, German or Spanish. WBLAHS students can study up to six levels of American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German and Spanish (high school and CIS courses). The district partners with Hangzhou Foreign Languages School in China and with schools in France and Germany. RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ALIKE more ways for parents to stay connected to their child’s learning. The district’s 1:1 initiative was made possible by the community’s support of the Capital Projects Levy and is part of the district’s overall K – 12 technology integration plan. STEWARDSHIP & SUPPORT The district has a AA bond rating, which we have received from Standard and Poor every year the district has applied since 2010. Our district received Excellence in Financial Reporting awards from both the Association of School Business Officials and Government Finance Officers Association for 17 consecutive years. In the fall of 2017, the community voted on a 10-year Local Operating Levy Renewal that passed by a margin of 80% to 20% and the district embarked in a strategic planning initiative that involves more than 200 community volunteer participants. Learn more about our schools/programs by viewing videos and additional information at following website. Or visit our schools and attend concerts, athletic events and programs! TECHNOLOGY New tools allow for more collaboration, more personalized communication and instruction, more authentic ways for stu dents to demonstrate learning, and 4855 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake 651-407-7500 isd624.org vhedc.com 57