Great MN Schools

08/12/2026

Vote for "Invisible Majority: What Literacy Assessments Still Miss" at 2027!

The Science of Reading has made progress on decoding, but language comprehension is still invisible in our instruction and assessments.

Join our very own Director of Literacy, Melissa Long -- alongside Michelle Odemwingie, CEO of Achievement Network; Dr. Mary Schreuder, Director of Literacy at Achievement Network; and Dan Reynolds, Senior Education Researcher for SRI Education as they unpack the comprehension chasm.

Voting closes on Sunday, August 23, so please vote today to see our session at 2027!

Vote now: https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1785114315826001ShCU

08/06/2026

We are excited to share that we are finalists for the 2026 Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network Eddie in two categories!

Best Implementation with EdAllies and Educators for Excellence. – From Gaps to Gains: How Advocates Closed Minnesota’s Teacher Prep Literacy Divide

Best Collaboration with EdAllies and National Parents Union - Defending the Rights of Minnesota’s Immigrant Students in the Wake of Operation Metro Surge

Through protecting students' right to a safe education regardless of immigration status and driving a 232% increase in Minnesota teacher prep programs teaching the science of reading, this work reached over a million Minnesota students.

PIE Network members, cast your vote through August 28. Learn more about this year’s dynamic nominees: https://www.pie-network.org/what-we-do/the-eddies/2026-eddies/

07/30/2026

Teachers show up every single day to help kids discover a love of learning.

When we asked teacher Dania Fathroen at New Millennium Academy what makes a great school, her answer was inspiring: it's a place where students are curious, engaged, and excited to learn—not because they have to be there, but because they want to be. A place where they leave knowing something they didn't know before, ask big questions, and build the confidence to solve real-world problems.

Dania is one of hundreds of educators we've had the privilege of learning alongside over the past 10 years.

Want to learn more about our work to ensure every child has access to a great school? Save the date for our 10-Year Celebration on September 24. https://event.gives/thespark

07/13/2026

Our partner Good Trouble is hosting their 2nd Annual State of the Youth: Shape the Next 250 this Thursday, July 16th.

State of the Youth is an opportunity to connect with passionate youth and dedicated community leaders, strengthen networks, and contribute to a collective call to action for a more just and thriving Minnesota.

You don't want to miss it!
www.goodtroublemn.org/soty

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Sondra Samuels -- one of TIME's inaugural Visionaries! Her dedication to educational equity and the families of North Minneapolis is making a real difference! 🎉

We're proud to share that Northside Achievement Zone President & CEO Sondra Samuels has been named one of TIME's inaugural Visionaries.

Selected as one of 14 honorees nationwide, Sondra joins a remarkable group of leaders recognized for driving bold, systemic change to help children reach their full potential. According to TIME, the inaugural list highlights individuals working across education, mental health, economic opportunity, housing, and other critical areas to ensure young people have the support and resources they need to thrive.

For more than 15 years, Sondra has championed a vision rooted in the strengths, aspirations, and potential of North Minneapolis families. Under her leadership, NAZ has grown into a collaborative of more than 40 partner organizations and schools working together to support children and families from cradle to career.

In its profile, highlighted NAZ's innovative Wealth Builds Minneapolis initiative, in partnership with Harlem Children's Zone, which helps families build assets and opportunity through financial education and college savings accounts, as well as the organization's long-term commitment to improving outcomes for North Minneapolis children.

While this recognition bears Sondra's name, it reflects the visionary and collective efforts of countless scholars, families, staff, partners, and community members who have worked together to build a brighter future for North Minneapolis.

As Sondra shared with TIME, "It's about hope. We're here to power purpose and potential on the Northside."

Congratulations, Sondra. We are grateful for your leadership and proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

See more here: https://time.com/collection/visionaries/2026/sondra-samuels/

06/03/2026

The halls of Partnership Academy were a little louder than usual yesterday -- in the best way!

As the school year comes to a close, alumni graduating from high school and college returned to walk the halls while younger students and teachers lined up to cheer them on! Then they sat down with 8th graders to answer questions and share advice. It was an inspiring day of alumni feeling celebrated and current students seeing what's possible.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We can't wait to see what is ahead!

05/22/2026

This week, our CEO Jennifer Stern joined former Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson on MPR News's Minnesota Now to talk about what the new Education Scorecard data really means and what it will take to change outcomes for Minneapolis kids.

Listen Here --

New scorecards are out for school districts across the country. Known as the Education Scorecard, the results in Minneapolis Public Schools show large achievement gaps across race and class.

05/15/2026

Huge congratulations to our CEO Jennifer Stern, named a 2026 Women in Business honoree by the Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal!

Every day, Jen shows up fighting for kids in Minneapolis to have access to great schools. That work isn't always easy, but she does it with passion, purpose, and a whole lot of heart.

Congratulations, Jen. We are so grateful to have you leading the way. https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/c/2026-women-in-business-honoree-profiles/44277/women-in-business-jen-stern.html

05/12/2026

Schools have done extraordinary things in response to ICE enforcement. That resilience is worth honoring.

But they shouldn't have had to.

Our CEO, Jennifer Stern and Kids First Chicago Founder & CEO Daniel Anello, two education leaders in two of the hardest-hit cities, have come together in The 74 with a unified message: schools must be protected as sensitive locations, free from immigration enforcement.

We're asking Congress to restore that protection and make it enforceable.

Stern and Anello: Congress should use budget negotiations to ensure that ICE stays out of schools so that students can keep attending regularly.

05/06/2026

Families said it best! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the incredible teachers at Prodeo Academy, across all our partners schools, and to all teachers who help make schools truly great!