White Bear Lake Area Schools

Student achievementPreparation for CollegeACTDistrict 624 Mean National Mean2007-08 ACT Results23.523.022.5Average Score22.021.521.020.520.0EnglishMathematicsReadingScienceCompositeWhite Bear Lake Area students scored above the nationAL average in allareAS of the act test.SATDistrict 624 MeanNational MeanThree year district 624 act means on composite score2007-08 sat Results22.658022.456022.254022.021.8Mean Score52050021.648021.446021.22005-06 2006-07 2007-08Graduating ClassThere hAS been an upWArd trend in White Bear Lake Area High Schoolstudents’ Act composite scores. The District average score hAS increASedfrom 21.7 to 22.4 within the last three years.440Critical ReadingMathematicsWritingThe average White Bear Lake Area score was higher than the nationALaverages in each of the tested areAS of the SAt.6www.whitebear.k12.mn.us

The White Bear Lake AreaSchools’ Community Servicesand Recreation Programprovides a wide range ofservices and opportunitiesthat enhance the quality oflife for all members of theIndependent School District624 community, from infantsto senior citizens.More than 300 studentsattended a Hmong New Year’scelebration at Vadnais HeightsElementary.Two bands and two choirs atWhite Bear Lake Area HighSchool North Campus receivedsuperior ratings at regionalcompetitions.Early Childhood Programattendance rates for those whoreceived transportation rangedfrom 87-100%. Several childrenhad perfect attendance.White Bear Lake AreaPROUD.Participants in the summerExtended Day program,through Community Services,hosted a variety of serviceprojects to raise money for theHugo Tornado Relief Fund.

The White Bear Lake AreaSchool District serves thecommunities of Birchwood,Hugo, Gem Lake, LinoLakes, Little Canada,Maplewood, North Oaks,Vadnais Heights, WhiteBear Lake, White BearTownship.District informationDistrict 624 strives to provide a high-quality educationalexperience for all learners. To accomplish our mission we believethat a high-quality educational experience must:• be in partnership with the community;• take place in a safe, supportive, and challenging environment;• develop lifelong learners;• allow each learner to reach full potential; and• encourage each learner to be a contributing memberof a global society.The District 624 SpecialServices team serves studentsfrom birth to age 21, meetingindividual needs of students withdisabilities through partnershipsthat promote lifelong learning,independence and self-advocacy.Birch Lake Elementary studentsscored 13.5% higher than AYPtarget in the MCA II math test.District profile79% of Free/Reduced Lunchstudents in grades 3-5 atWillow Lane Elementary met orexceeded math standards.District Goals• Student AchievementWe will be a district whosestudents are prepared forthe challenges of a complexand diverse world.• Staff ExcellenceWe will be a district thatrecruits, retains and valuesexemplary staff in all areas.• Resource ManagementWe will be a districtcommitted to fiscalresponsibility and efficientuse of all its resources.• LeadershipWe will be a districtthat models excellencein governance andmeaningfully involvesthe community in thework of the district.Improvement PlansEach school submits an annualBuilding Improvement Plan, providinga clear focus for the utilization of bothbuilding resources and District support.To view individual school improvementplans, contact the building administrator.In planning and delivering professionaldevelopment opportunities for staff, thedistrict aligns such programs with theDistrict goals. Opportunities also are basedon current student data and best practiceeducational research.Core valuesThe White Bear Lake Area SchoolDistrict builds quality livesand strong communities throughcompassion, integrity, respect,responsibility and service.All of the graduates from Transition Plus, program through Special Services, were working independently or through supported employment. 13

District ProfileStudent EnrollmentStudent enrollment 2007-08Elementary (Grades K-5) 3586Middle School (Grades 6-8) 1886High School (Grades 9-12) 2852District total 8324District 624 is proud of its highly qualified staff memberswho are committed to helping every child learn and succeed.Staff profile 2007-08District 624 StateTeachers with Master’s Degrees 65% 50%Teachers with fewer than 3 years experience 6% 9%Teachers with more than 10 years experience 56% 57%Teachers meeting federal “Highly Qualified” requirements 100% 98%14www.whitebear.k12.mn.us

pArtnerShipSpartnership highlightsThe White Bear Lake Area School District worked in partnershipwith a variety of community organizations:• ymcAThe Extended Day program works with the YMCA to providesummer swimming lessons for participants and during theschool year for elementary students.• mAcphAil center For muSicBirch Lake Elementary partnered with MacPhail Center forMusic to offer an enhanced music program to the school’sstudents. Additional after-school and weekend music lessonopportunities also are offered.• tAmArAck nAture centerTamarack Nature Center works with the Early ChildhoodProgram to offer pre-school classes and with the AdultEnrichment Program to offer book clubs and Nordic walkingclasses.• city oF white beAr lAkeCommunity Services and Recreation provides fitness classes andsport activities in partnership with the City of White Bear Lake.• city oF hugoThe City of Hugo has a joint partnership in offering opengym, volleyball, Tot Time, and family open gym at OnekaElementary School.School board members• Gregg Larson, Chair• Lori Swanson, Vice Chair• Chris Hiniker, Treasurer• Cathy Storey, Clerk• George Kimball• Janet Newberg• Rolf Parsonsnational honor Society studentsprovided more than 4200 hourstotal to community service.SchooL BoArdWBLAhS South campus scienceteacher jim christensen wasnamed the 2008 White BearLake teacher of the year.nominations are sought fromstudents, staff members andcommunity members.the WeB “Where everybody Belongs” program was initiated at central and Sunrise park middle Schools. 15