The process of winning a Minnesota School of Excellence award is (perhaps unsurprisingly), academic. The teachers and staff of Red Rock Elementary School know this better than anyone. Red Rock, a pre-K through grade 5 school of about 620 students in Woodbury, was one of four schools recognized by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association for the 2014–2015 academic year.
When Principal Andy Caflisch began the application process, he knew it had to be a school-wide effort. A committee of principals from around the state selects the winners, but long before that happened, the faculty of Red Rock was hard at work putting together materials to showcase the school. Jodi Frovold, a fourth-grade teacher, was one of the many teachers who helped in the process. “It was a year-long process,” she says. “We sat down in groups and hashed out everything we do at Red Rock.”
The selection committee looks at, quite literally, everything. Faculty members were split into smaller groups, each focusing on a specific part of the application so that the work was more manageable and nothing was left out. Topics included learning, diversity, 21st-century learning, instructors, knowledge and data, and community relations.
“The application isn’t about recognition as much as it is about identifying a plan and process for improvement,” Caflisch says. While it is an honor for the school to be selected, the award is more about achieving future goals. Each Minnesota School of Excellence conducts surveys on areas where it can improve, and then creates a seven-year plan that highlights strategies and plans for innovation.
“The emphasis is on knowing we have vulnerabilities,” Frovold says. Taking those vulnerabilities and making an already well-respected school even better is what being a Minnesota School of Excellence means. “It builds confidence in our staff, but it also creates a stronger culture of success going forward,” says Keith Jacobus, superintendent of South Washington County Schools.
While everyone stresses a focus on the future, the honor never would have happened without the skills and dedication of Red Rock’s teachers and staff. Everyone at the school prides themselves on not only giving students the best education, but going beyond the classroom to foster a community commitment to learning. “I have an invested staff who work hard to meet the needs of our students and community,” Caflisch says. “They are constantly adapting what they are doing in the classroom to meet the needs of their students.”
It’s the work beyond the classroom that truly makes Red Rock special. Faculty is constantly keeping parents involved in what’s happening at the school. The school also partners with more than 20 businesses in the Woodbury community for volunteer and fundraising efforts. And students are encouraged to give back to the community, too, by taking part in the 833 Miracle Makers team, a local triathlon that raises money for children with medical needs.
Back in the classroom, the Minnesota School of Excellence award has led to a focus on technology. Fostering 21st century learning was a key component for Red Rock Elementary, and teachers are consistently trained on the newest trends to keep kids active and engaged in the classroom.
For Frovold, the philosophy of improvement at Red Rock has allowed her to be collaborative in her work. In the past, teachers worked more independently with their classes—but since being selected as a Minnesota School of Excellence, Frovold has done some co-teaching with colleagues.
From teachers to administrators, everyone at the school looks at their desire and willingness to improve as Red Rock’s greatest attribute. It’s the biggest reason they were selected for the honor.
“Teaching is too big to take on alone,” Frovold says. With a Minnesota School of Excellence award in hand, the entire Red Rock community is dedicated to working together well into the future.
