Gatewood Elementary Named an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School

Gatewood has been accepted as an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school. This means that Gatewood will begin to pursue an authorization as an IB World School. IB provides a rigorous curriculum framework that encourages students to think critically and solve real-world problems. IB also complements Gatewood's outdoor learning model.

Three Hopkins Teachers are Semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

When John Williams walks down the hall at West Junior High, he refers to students by name, picking up on conversations from the last time they saw each other, making plans for their free period, and offering up a quick fist bump. He has a relationship with students that is built on a mutual respect and love for each other.

Williams works for Change Equals Opportunity (CEO), an organization focused on mentorship for youth of color. He was attracted to West Junior High in particular because CEO’s mission aligns seamlessly with the goals and beliefs of a community school.

In January 2022, West was awarded a Full Service Community School grant through the Minnesota Department of Education. As a community school, West partners with local organizations and businesses to provide a range of services and programs beyond traditional academic instruction.

The convenience of having services accessible within the school building means families don't need to leave or miss a work day to transport a child to an appointment. It also ensures that students aren’t missing a part of their school day that could be integral to their academic success.

“The community school model is ensuring that our students feel like whole people and that they are able to enter this space feeling equal to their peers regardless of their circumstances outside this building,” said Leanne Kampfe, principal of West Junior High.

Three Hopkins teachers have been named semifinalists for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award! Fatuma Ali, Lin Niu, and Allyson Wolff are among 33 candidates nominated across the state. Seven Hopkins teachers were initially nominated. Finalists will be selected in March and the winner will be named at The Teacher of the Year banquet in May.

Community Schools are built on four pillars: collaborative leadership, family engagement, learning enrichment, and integrated services. These services include vision, healthcare, mental health, a barber shop, and even a food shelf where families can pick up essential items.

Kindergarten Bridge

One thing that separates a community school from a traditional school model is the collaborative leadership and family engagement efforts. Community schools prioritize meaningful relationships not only with students but also with their families. By engaging with families outside of an academic setting through school events, staff and caregivers can get to know each other on a deeper level and will be better prepared to partner in their child’s education. In that way, administrators co-create decisions with families so they feel welcomed and valued as partners.

See West Junior High Community School, inside

2023 Graduation

Join us for an in-person family-friendly event at your child's elementary school! Kindergarten Bridge will introduce your child to the classroom, allow you to meet other families, and provide you with resources on how to prepare your child for their first day.

Bridge events are held at your child's school May 11-23

Learn more at HopkinsSchools.org/kinder

Celebrate this year's graduates at our commencement ceremony!

Tuesday, June 6 12-2 p.m. U of MN, Maturi Pavilion HopkinsSchools.org/graduation