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Staff writer

Coon Rapids High School is one of 10 schools receiving the 2009 Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation School Spotlight Award.

The honors are bestowed on schools demonstrating academic excellence and student success as evidenced by their students’ achievements, according to the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation.

“It is a privilege to recognize schools that are making great strides toward closing the achievement gap in Minnesota,” said Melissa Malen, Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation chairwoman.

“Spotlight Award-winning schools have used data-driven and student-centered approaches to develop unique curriculum, student support programs and staff development opportunities that in combination have brought their students success.

“The impact of the achievements made by their students will last a lifetime.”

The award shines a spotlight on a school’s curriculum, instruction, assessment and staff development that addresses student needs and works toward success for all, she said.

Jeff McGonigal, principal at Coon Rapids High School (CRHS), said many factors contributed to the school’s winning ways.

“It was a lot of effort in a lot of places. It probably was a combination of things,” McGonigal said.

The Spotlight Award recognizes schools making significant progress or reaching lofty goals on the state’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) testing and evaluation, according to McGonigal.

AYP measures students’ learning progress in writing (ninth grade), reading (10th grade) and math (11th grade).

According to Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation, all Minnesota schools that participate in Minnesota’s statewide assessments (the AYP) are eligible to apply.

“When we saw that our passing rates had gone up and that every group had met goals or made significant gains, well then we knew we had done very well,” McGonigal said before describing some of the school’s strategies for achieving that success.

CRHS student learning advocates made special efforts in reading courses and added sections to those courses, he said.

Also, four tutor sessions were offered to students to give them adequate preparation before taking the AYP tests, McGonigal said.

“We also really encouraged students to take more math in general so they have more content under their belts before taking the test,” he said.

McGonigal credited the school’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program for the school’s success.

“The great news on our (AYP) testing results came last summer and then we thought with our gains looking so good, we might be worthy of the Spotlight Award,” McGonigal said.

“I’m just really proud of our students and staff. This award really says something about their good work.”

The Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes academic excellence in Minnesota public and non-public schools and communities through public-private partnerships.

The foundation advocates, promotes and recognizes academic excellence in all Minnesota elementary and secondary students, schools and communities.

Sue Austreng is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it