Six Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) sites were among 48 schools statewide to be designated as Celebration schools by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) on Dec. 16. Anthony Middle School, Kenny Community School, Marcy Open School, Northrop Community School, Pratt Community School and Waite Park Community School were chosen from 166 Celebration-eligible schools across Minnesota based on their ability to effectively document best practices that have led to student success.

“I am proud of the work going on at our Celebration schools,” said Dr. Bernadeia Johnson, superintendent of schools. “Our principals and staff teams strive each day to help our students excel and prepare for their bright futures. This designation honors our educators’ passion and drive to support student learning.”

The Celebration school designation is part of Minnesota’s federal accountability system that replaces No Child Left Behind. Under Minnesota’s program, schools are assigned a Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) based on students’ proficiency and growth, as well as a school’s progress toward reducing achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates. The state’s Title I schools – those serving racially and ethnically diverse student populations with high levels of poverty – qualify for designations if they are top performers.

Identified annually, celebration-eligible schools are the 25 percent of schools directly below those designated as Reward schools (the top 15 percent of Title I schools). These schools are then able to apply to MDE for Celebration status by documenting the efforts they are using to increase student achievement.