8 Minnesota Schools Earn State's Top Academic Honor

When the federal government ended its 43-year tradition of recognizing America's best schools, Minnesota decided its star educators deserved celebration anyway.

Eight schools across the state earned recognition this week as Exemplary High Performing Schools from the Minnesota Department of Education. Pike Lake Elementary in Proctor stood out among them for outstanding academic achievement, ranking among the top performers based on state assessments.

Commissioner Willie Jett honored the schools at the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association Institute. All eight had been nominated for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program before the U.S. Department of Education terminated it after recognizing over 9,000 schools since 1982.

"These eight schools are doing outstanding work and deserve recognition," Jett said. "Other schools look up to Blue Ribbon Schools for strategies to improve performance and better serve all students."

The recognition went beyond just test scores. Browns Valley Elementary and Kennedy Elementary in Mankato earned honors specifically for closing achievement gaps between different student groups.

Four schools achieved something even rarer. Forest Hills Elementary in Eden Prairie, Hassan Elementary in Elk River, Northfield Middle School, and Valley Crossing Elementary all earned recognition in both categories. They're simultaneously among the state's highest performers while leading the charge in making sure every student succeeds, regardless of background.

The Ripple Effect

These schools aren't just educating their own students well. They become models for other districts seeking strategies that work. When a school figures out how to help every child thrive, those lessons spread.

Minnesota's decision to create its own recognition program sends a clear message about state priorities. Educational excellence matters, and the educators achieving it deserve acknowledgment.

"In Minnesota we believe that every student deserves access to a high-quality education, and these schools are embodying that mission," Jett explained. "They are an example of what educators can achieve when they make their school a place where all students can learn, grow and thrive."

Pike Lake Elementary's outdoor classroom has become a symbol of innovative teaching approaches that engage students. Now the school has formal recognition to match its creative spirit.

When one door closes, sometimes communities open a better one themselves.