OUR MISSION is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences.
OUR VISION is to redefine the way our nation is taught, one student, one teacher, and one school at a time.
OUR CORE VALUES are Authenticity, Collaboration, Compassion, Discovery, and Tenacity.
As we look back on our fifty years of providing quality learning experiences to children who learn differently, I am proud of our history and steady progress toward realizing our ambitious mission. I often share that ours is a morally imperative social impact mission, and so the strong and iterative work of the Academy, Learning Center, and Literacy Partnerships continue to shine brightly as our singular focus. Our success is possible in large part because of the generosity and support of so many supporters who love and value the impact GLO has on its students, families, clients, education partners, community, and institutional peers. For that, I say, “Thank you!”
In 2022-2023 we launched fourteen bright and eager graduating seniors; served 11,000+ students in schools across Minnesota through our Groves Literacy Partnerships initiative, and provided meaningful Tutoring, Speech-Language, and Assessment services to client families in our Learning Center. As part of our Growth for Strategic Impact Plan, we’ve completed the first phase of a contemplated 3-phase renovation project, and by the end of this summer, our Academy will be completely renovated and feature beautiful state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces. The early stages of our capital campaign are proving to be fruitful and will support our efforts to become more accessible for prospective families. And finally, we are dedicating extensive time and energy to scale and expand our Groves Literacy Partnerships work into more areas of the state and even beyond Minnesota’s borders.
Looking ahead, I firmly believe that realizing the social and literacy impact for learners requires bold, courageous, and futuristic visioning and planning. Through the inherent strength and collaboration of the GLO eco-system, deep supportive relationships, and the use of data-driven literacy instruction, we will continue to improve student achievement outcomes while inspiring other peer institutions and systems to do the same.
As you will read on the following pages, GLO continues to garner success as we lift up the importance of evidence-based literacy instruction for all learners. We remain committed to this important work, and we are eager to accomplish even more!
In Partnership,
G. Bryan Fleming, President
1972: Dedication of the Groves Learning Center, located at 2000 Hopkins Crossroads in Minnetonka
1977: First fundraiser for school with keynote speaker Hubert Humphrey
Governor Rudy Perpich proclaims Nov. 14th Commemorative Day
In the 2022-2023 school year, Groves Learning Organization (GLO) celebrated 50 years dedicated to educating children with learning differences. Marking this milestone, St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano officially proclaimed September 8th as “Groves Academy Day,” underscoring the institution’s enduring impact on the city and its communities. The commemoration was followed by a year-long series of celebratory events, highlighting Groves Academy’s legacy and commitment to educational excellence.
1982: Groves Learning Center relocates to the former Ethel Baston School in St. Louis Park, at 3200 Highway 100 S
1984: Receives the Excellence in Education Award
1992: US Department of Education names Groves a Blue Ribbon School for excellence in education
1995: Groves Academy is now the official name, replacing Groves Learning Center
1994: Groves adds a soccer field to its campus and basketball and volleyball courts to the playground
2000: Groves Academy launches a $10 million capital campaign called “Think…of the Possibilities!”
students
210 students
2012: Groves Academy celebrates 40 years of service to the Minnesota community
2008 Phase 2: Construction is completed on a $7 million expansion and renovation including a new kitchen, dining hall, media center, library, ceramic studio, weight room, gymnasium, new classrooms, and offices
2015: Groves Learning Center launches, offering diagnostic assessments tutoring, speech-language services, and summer programs to the greater community.
2018: Ben Ruedisili Legacy Playground 350 students Our
2021: Rebrand to Groves Learning Organization (GLO) recognizes all aspects of programming
2022: Groves Literacy Partnerships grows to 73 schools serving 10,000 students
2016: Groves Literacy Partnerships launches with two schools
2023: Celebrating 50 years of empowering every student to discover their brilliance. Growth for Impact Capital Campaign Launch Groves Academy will serve 350 students upon completion
Together, Groves Academy, Groves Literacy Partnerships, and Groves Learning Center impacted more than 10,000 students in 2022-23.
Total operating budget $14.4 million
$2.4 million in philanthropic support raised for general operating expenses
$4 million raised to support Groves Literacy Partnerships
$11 million raised in pledges and cash for Growth for Impact Capital Campaign
Groves Academy served 273 students providing $1.8 million in tuition assistance to 35% of our families with an average tuition award of $19,437
Groves Literacy Partnerships served 9,500 students in 73 schools and 500 classrooms throughout the states
Groves Learning Center served 900+ students providing 9,300 hours of individualized Tutoring and Speech-Language Therapy to students in our community
Total Tuition Assistance Awarded $1,850,751 between 97 families (35%). Average tuition assistance award was $19,437.
Groves Academy continues to be the Midwest’s paramount learning destination for students with language-based learning differences. As witnessed in our growth and re-enrollment, Groves Academy supports each family’s unique journey and tailors each student’s educational experience based upon their individual needs.
273 Students enrolled
27% of the student body were NEW enrollees
53 students transitioned to other schools
203 students re-enrolled to Groves Academy
14 seniors graduated from Groves Academy
Post-secondary Plans
We asked several alumni what they’ve been doing since they were students at our school:
“ “ “
I worked for my dad for a short time before enrolling at Augsburg College. I first went for a major in Music but moved on to English with an emphasis on Creative Writing.”
After my two years at Groves, I transferred to a different school and even went to college. Which was not something I could always see myself doing. I graduated from Cornell College with a B.S.S. in Elementary Ed, Dance and Kinesiology. After graduating from College I moved to Arizona and taught 3rd grade for a year. Recently I was accepted for a two-year teaching fellowship in The Bronx, NY where I will be working with 4th graders while getting my Masters in Special Education and a NY State Teaching Certificate.”
I attended Hopkins West Junior High and Hopkins High School. I graduated in 2019. I was a Teaching Assistant in high school and enjoyed working with students who have disabilities. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and help support those students who face learning challenges—like I did. I enrolled in an early childhood education certificate program at UCLA Extension and graduated with honors in 2021. I’ve also graduated with a certificate in paraprofessional education from Minnesota West Community College, graduating with honors in 2022. I enjoy sign language and am currently researching ASL certificate programs to enroll in.”
Groves Learning Center offers an array of specialized services for all students throughout the community who are struggling to learn or may be diagnosed with learning disabilities and/or attention disorders.
More than 5,400 hours of tutoring completed
3,500 hours of speach and language sessions
574 diagnostic evaluations were preformed
252 students attended in-person summer programs
A psychoeducational evaluation opens the door to a greater understanding of how a child learns. However, these assessments are expensive and often hard to schedule. In the 2022-23 school year, philanthropy provided no-cost evaluations to nine students in grades 1-3 and one Kindergarten student. All students were attending under-resourced GLP partner schools. The information provided to parents is necessary to qualify for special education services, as well as other accommodations.
For students with learning differences or who are behind in their studies, one-on-one tutoring can be the lifeline they need to improve academically. We provide tutoring in reading/comprehension, writing, spelling, and study skills. Our tutors are literacy experts with the experience to provide a flexible, customized approach to tutoring that meets the unique needs of each student. For the 2022-23 school year philanthropy provided tutoring services to 2 students. The Sun Sailor bestowed Groves Learning Center with the 2023 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Tutoring Program, St. Louis Park. Congratulations to the Groves tutors and program team for the great they take in supporting our students and families.
Groves offers a holistic approach to speech-language therapy for students with learning disabilities and attention disorders to help students communicate clearly and confidently. Our team of certified speech-language pathologists provides assessments and specific treatments for a wide range of speech-language needs. Areas of expertise include reading comprehension, writing, receptive/expressive language, articulation, and executive function. For the 2022-23 school year, philanthropy provided speech-language services to 4 students.
Groves Summer Program is an intensive opportunity for students and families to enjoy a positive school experience where they will begin to build the skills they need to feel smart and capable in school, often for the first time. Our small class sizes, individualized instruction, and engaging curriculum help students gain confidence over the summer. Another benefit for Summer Program students is that they engage with students with similar struggles and share the scholarly journey while having some fun in the summertime sun! 223 students attended
GLP helped close the literacy achievement gap in partner schools in the Twin Cities and beyond by providing access to high-quality literacy instruction, based on the science of reading and designed for all types of learners, delivered through the Groves Method Curriculum and the GLP team of Literacy Coaches.
The first Groves Literacy Partnerships (GLP) launched in the 2016-17 school year with two public charter schools serving 350 students. During the 2022-23 school year, the program has ignited and spread to 73 schools and over 500 classrooms, serving more than 9,500 students in public and independent schools in the Twin Cities metro area and beyond.
Groves Literacy Partnerships Coaches are highly trained literacy instructors for teachers and their students in Pre-K–3rd grade schools. Throughout each structured three-year partnership, GLP works closely with a range of community school administrations and designated classroom teachers, all focused on literacy skills and instilling an appreciation for reading in young students.
The icons on this page represent just some of the many facets in the GLO ecosystem. These icons are to be
• Nearly one-third of students who tested as high risk in the fall were no longer high risk by the end of the year (31.6% of high-risk students were no longer high risk by spring benchmarking).
The style of these icons uses mono-weight line work for
two
98.3% of students in grades 1-3 who tested as high or moderate risk in the fall increased their reading speed and accuracy over the year.
of students improved their reading speed and accuracy over the course of the year
students that tested as high risk in the fall was no longer high risk by spring benchmarking
• 65% of students who tested as high or moderate risk in the fall increased their national percentile for the year and started to close the gap to their peers reading at grade level.
high/moderate risk students closed the gap and are now reading at grade level
The style of these icons uses mono-weight line work for simplicity and clarity of illustration, and two colors for stylistic detail and hierarchical separation of elements.
On April 22, 2023, 500 Groves friends and families came to gether to celebrate at the 46th Annual Groves Gala. More than $615,000 was raised to propel our mission of building confidence, success and purpose through transformative learning experiences.
Every dollar raised at the Annual Groves Gala helped provide financial assistance for our students and support for underresourced Groves Literacy Partnership schools. Thank you to the many volunteers, sponsors, friends, and donors who made the gala a success.
Linda Roslansky joined the Groves team a little over a year ago, working with school Admissions and the Groves Learning Center. Her passion for advocating for children shines through in everything she does. Linda is vital to Groves’ efforts to reach and impact more students, forging new alliances with community partners and local professionals.
Reflecting on her time at Groves, Linda shares, “My first year at Groves has been amazing. The response I get when I tell people I work at GLO usually includes a story of someone they know who attended Groves Academy or received services at Groves Learning Center. It warms my heart to hear how students are thriving as a result of their experience at Groves. After getting to know the GLO team, I am not surprised. The people here are compassionate, talented, hard-working, and make a huge impact on the lives of others!”
Linda’s positive energy, dedication, and compassion make her an invaluable member of the Groves team, and we are grateful for her contributions and commitment to our mission.
500 guests celebrated at the 46th Annual Groves Gala
More than $615,000 raised
$95,000 in gift in-kind donations made in support of the event.
$ 231,000 in corporate sponsorship
Meredith McGuirk, Chair
David Iverson, Vice Chair
Dan Deikel, Treasurer
Adam Braun, Secretary
Susan Perera, Governance Chair
G. Bryan Fleming, President
Peter Dankwerth
Tom Grover
Travis Hansberger
Kathryn Hecht
Damon Johnson
Scott Lang
Cindee McCarthy
Rick Stevson
Ellen Stewart
Deborah Sundal
Barry Wadsworth
“I was at Groves during my freshman and sophomore years of high school. The teachers at Groves taught me so much! They taught me to love math, how to advocate for myself, and to look at a problem and not worry about the right or wrong solution –but how I needed to understand it or the concept better.”
- Groves Academy Student
Phase 1 construction of GLO’s Growth for Impact Capital Campaign was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Each lower school classroom and two middle school classrooms were completely redesigned allowing increases in enrollment and creating an educational space better designed to accommodate students with learning differences. Phase 2 construction begins summer of 2024.
Groves is vital to the Twin Cities because there are so few schools that do what they do and the fact that we can have a school like Groves is a gift that can never be repaid.”
- Groves Academy Student
Revenue
Groves Academy Tuition
Groves Learning Center
Groves Literacy Partnerships
Financial Aid Disbursement
Net Tuition and Fees
Annual & Scholarship Gifts
Restricted Gifts
Other Income
Net Revenue Total
$ 9,637,989
$2,430,467
$1,870,918
($1,678,196)
$12,261,178
$4,613,970
$11,603,998 $611,680 $29,090,826
Expenses
Program Expenses
Operating Expenses
Fundraising Expenses
Net Expense Total
$10,198,973
$3,496,645 $970,150
$14,665,768
Net Gain $14,425,058
Reinvested in the Groves mission
“
The teachers at Groves pushed me to be able to see myself as a good student, one who got good grades and could even turn in tests feeling confident about the answers I chose.”
- Groves Academy Student
$2.4 million in support helped us in 2022-2023 to:
Supply 88 students with financial aid
Serve 9,500 students through Groves Literacy Partnerships (GLP)
GLP worked with 73 partner schools across the Twin Cities metro area Expenses
8 Groves Literacy Coaches supported 500 classroom teachers at partner schools
