We’re personal
Students meet with their teacher individually and in small groups of 2 - 6 students multiple times throughout the week for personalized instruction.
At Island Lake, students enjoy one-on-one and small-group learning opportunities with teachers who know their students’ needs.
Academic curriculum
We provide a standards-based curriculum with clear learning targets and assessments to ensure students are progressing along the learning continuum. Teachers intentionally craft learning opportunities that include exploration, hands-on learning and use of digital resources. Our students receive developmentally appropriate instruction focused on standards as well as individualized attention and growth goals which are customized according to their unique achievements. We offer a standards-based curriculum in the following core academic disciplines:
• Reading • Art
• Math • Music
• Science • Physical education
• Social studies
Personalized instruction
Using a variety of grouping formats, Island Lake students receive personalized instruction every day based on their current academic level. Small-group instruction is aligned to the same set of high standards offered in the whole group setting, yet allows for more personal connections and multiple instructional approaches to accommodate the varying learning needs of students.
• Flexible skill groupings allow for students to be met at their instructional level.
• A full complement of mandated special education and related services are available for students with educational disabilities.
A
personal program
Island Lake’s curriculum is standards based and incorporates District learner outcomes and state and national standards. The program includes language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, physical education and technology. Teachers continually provide written and verbal feedback as students grow academically on the continuum of learning. Teachers concentrate on skills-based lessons at all levels of learning and differentiate their instruction to meet the learning needs of each student.
Instructional technology
Island Lake is committed to implementing technologies that best align with instructional needs.
• Wireless access points are available throughout the building, making the internet accessible in classrooms and all areas of the school.
• All instructional spaces at Island Lake are equipped with an interactive visual display. In all classrooms, Chromebooks are being used to support high quality instruction. For example, teachers are using flipped instruction, Google classroom, Google forms and other tools to support learning.
• As part of the District’s technology vision, access to technology tools will continue to increase in classrooms. Increased access to technology provides students with opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom walls and allows teachers to personalize instruction to meet the needs of all students. Other technology being used at Island Lake includes Chromebooks, mobile laptop labs, tablets and literacy technology tools.
Kindergarten
The District offers a no-fee, all-day, every day kindergarten program. The program reflects the District’s comprehensive Pre-K - 14 initiative that includes The Equity Promise, which states that all students will be prepared for post-secondary success regardless of race, gender, class or disability. Kindergarten students from Island Lake Elementary School attend Snail Lake Education Center at 350 Highway 96 West in Shoreview, along with kindergarten students from Turtle Lake Elementary School.
Safe & supportive
Island Lake promotes positive behavior for all students.
A variety of programs and services create a welcoming, positive environment throughout Island Lake.
Students first
At Island Lake, students are the first priority. Decisions and actions are based on their needs. We strive to make each student feel a sense of significance and belonging in the school community. We meet our students where they are socially, emotionally and academically to move them forward in their learning journey.
Students start the day with a morning meeting in which teachers and students greet one another, share and participate in a group activity to start the day. This provides an opportunity to teach, model and practice cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control (CARES). These competencies are foundational and drive common expectations to provide a physically and emotionally safe space for everyone.
Before- & after-school care
Island Lake offers fee-based before- and after-school care programs for students in kindergarten – fifth grade. These before- and after-school programs offer fun and constructive opportunities for students to spend their time productively. The programs provide learning opportunities and enrichment activities year-round, with a full-day program available in the summer.
Transportation
Mounds View Public Schools provides free bus service for Island Lake students living two miles or more from their school. In addition, the District offers fee-based bus service within two miles to accommodate parents’ requests for transportation assistance.
Notifications
Ongoing communications about District and school news and events are delivered to parents and subscribers regularly via paperless e-newsletters. Emergency notifications can be delivered to all families in a matter of minutes in the event of a school closing or critical situation. The Mounds View Messaging system sends personalized voicemail and text messages to parents’ phones and email addresses simultaneously.
Nutrition services
Island Lake teaches healthy eating habits by introducing students to a wide variety of food choices. Students can enjoy breakfast and lunch daily at no cost thanks to the Minnesota Free School Meals Program. All menus meet nutrition requirements established by the USDA.
Student support and engagement
Mounds View Public Schools is committed to ensuring that our students are able to come to school feeling safe, healthy and ready to learn. Dedicated school staff, Districtlevel support and strong community partnerships allow us to remove barriers and set each of our students up for success, including:
• School health services staff who care for students with chronic health conditions or students who become ill or injured while with us.
• Cultural liaisons who help bridge communication and build supportive relationships with schools and families.
• Multi-language supports to help facilitate communication with our multilingual families.
• Mental health specialists and a chemical health and prevention specialist to help students and families access supports, find resources and increase mental health literacy and prosocial behaviors.
• Ralph Reeder Food Shelf provides food, basic needs and connections to other services for any school district family as well as any low-income, food-insecure neighbor requesting assistance.
• Relationships with community partners like the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative and the Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative that assist families with access to resources to help support basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, therapeutic services and more.
• A welcome center where new families can register and begin learning about what our schools have to offer and receive support through the enrollment process.
Connectedness
Feeling connected to school is a key to academic success.
Students who feel connected to their school do better in school and in life beyond our walls. That’s why Island Lake emphasizes student connectedness through a variety of efforts.
Activities
• Island Lake boasts choir and an orchestra with instruction available to students in fourth and fifth grades.
• Band instruction begins the summer before fifth grade. Each student receives one instrumental lesson during school and one group practice session each week before school.
• 4th- and 5th-grade students can participate in the spring track team where they build friendships, teamwork skills and school spirit.
• Island Lake PTA hosts many fun and family-oriented activities, including Family Fun Nights, a carnival, International Night and the Run with the Wolves 5K.
Online parent portal
Island Lake parents are encouraged to play an active role in their child’s school experience. Parents can stay connected to their student’s attendance records, test history, schedules, report cards and personal information using the Mounds View Public Schools online parent portal known as ParentVUE.
Island Lake uses the Second Step program to teach and reinforce positive social skills for academic success.
Communication hours
Island Lake offers proactive communication time during which teachers reach out and connect with families regarding student progress.
PTA
Parent/school partnerships are available through the Island Lake PTA.
In 2024, for the 12th consecutive year, Mounds View Public Schools was one of a handful of school districts in Minnesota to earn the Best Communities for Music Education designation.
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High achievement
We offer opportunities for learning and instructional strategies that lead to successful learning and high student achievement.
Island Lake Elementary School is a member of Mounds View Public Schools, a school district of more than 11,000 students whose test scores routinely rank in the Top 10 of metro districts. Mounds View Public Schools matches the performance and opportunities of area private schools, yet offers the value of public schools.
Find MCA, District and school assessment results on the Minnesota Department of Education Data Center website: education.mn.gov/mde/data.
Mounds View Public Schools uses a number of assessments to measure student performance and progress. Whether the results come from state-mandated testing, District measurement systems or national rankings, Mounds View continues to hold a place among the highest-performing school districts in the state and in the nation. The District uses a number of student improvement progress indicators to measure student achievement. Learn more at mvpschools.org/makingthegrade
The Equity Promise:
• Programs and services will be in place at all schools to ensure that race, gender, class and disability will not predict students’ success.
• Students’ academic performance will not fall into patterns identifiable by factors such as race, ethnicity, English language proficiency, socio-economic status and disability.
• The school that a student attends will not be the predictor of their success in school.
Student improvement progress indicators
1 All students meet school readiness goals.
2 All third-grade students achieve grade-level literacy.
3 Close achievement gaps for all student groups.
4 All students graduate from high school.
5 All students attain college and career readiness.
Island Lake’s Mission
We are committed to success for each student. Relationships amongst staff, students, and families create a foundation for success. We are agents of change who strive to use effective instructional strategies, holding ourselves accountable for student learning. We are committed to creating a physically and emotionally safe space for everyone.
Students First
At Island Lake children are our first priority. We strive to make each child feel a sense of significance and belonging in the school community.
Authentic Relationships
It is critical to learn about our students and families in order to show empathy and best serve them. We strive to make each member of the Island Lake community feel loved, cared for and safe.
Power in Partnerships
We value collaboration with parents and colleagues in order to meet the various needs of each student. Frequent, consistent and open communication is critical to student success.
Success for Each Student
We are invested in providing high quality instruction in a manner that is engaging and relevant. We have high standards for all and advocate for those who are underrepresented. Students are empowered to be curious, reflective, lifelong learners.
FAST FACTS
2024-25
• Island Lake students start every day with a morning meeting where teachers and students greet one another, share and participate in fun activities to get a positive start to the day.
• Third- and fifth-grade students utilize Google Suite. Every student has access to a Chromebook throughout the school day.
• Spanish is offered in grades 4 and 5.
• Island Lake PTA hosts many fun and family-oriented activities, including Family Fun Nights, a carnival, International Night and the Run with the Wolves 5K.
Mounds View Public Schools enrolls 80% of the students in our attendance area.
Enroll:
Island Lake welcomes students in its attendance area, which includes parts of Arden Hills, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and Roseville. To enroll, residents can call 651-621-7000.
Who we are: Diversity of student population
n Native American .3%
n Hispanic 5.1%
n Black 6.6%
n Two or more categories 9%
n Asian 12.7%
n White 66.3%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch 18.5%
Students receiving special services Special Education 12.4% English as a second language 9.3%
Demographics and enrollment data were compiled in November 2024.
Board-approved Class Size Ranges: (K/1): 22-27
(2/3): 23-30 (4/5): 26-32
Students meet with their teacher individually and in small groups of 2 - 6 students multiple times throughout the week for personalized instruction.
Island Lake serves: students in grades 1-5 748 in kindergarten (Snail Lake Education Center)
After English, the top three languages spoken by families:
Hindi
Take a virtual tour of Island Lake! mvpschools.org/tourislandlake
Mounds View
Curriculum includes: literacy (English language arts), math, science, social studies, art, music, STEAM and physical education.