Wilshire Park Elementary School - St. Anthony, MN

At Wilshire Park, we believe that ALL students can learn. It is our job as teachers to set the conditions, the variables, and the learning tasks so that students can meet and exceed the challenges that are presented. Wilshire Park is a Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Focused school and honors students' work through a variety of ways. Students are engaged in coding activities, distinctive art projects, creation of their own music, and solving critical thinking problems in their classrooms. Often these projects are integrated throughout the school.

Our diverse student population (24 languages spoken) brings opportunities for students to learn to work and play with each other. Our slogan is #wpmakeroomforeveryone (Wilshire Park make room for everyone). This slogan teaches inclusion and encourages students to include rather than exclude throughout our environment. Our school strives to become an anti-racist environment. This work is difficult, thoughtful, and encourages staff and students to discuss race and the implications of bias within our school community.

Our mission includes individualizing instruction for all learners. Our teachers have found that small group learning using the methodology of Guided Reading and Guided Math meets students at their instructional level and set up expectations for growth. We find our largest success not in standardized test scores but by discussing when a student has made well over one year's growth in an academic area.

We are humbled to be included in the National Blue Ribbon School award.