St. James Public Schools is excited to share the following article from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA): FULL ARTICLE -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2025
CONTACTS
Liam Dawson
Principal at the time of application, current superintendent
St. James
507-375-5974
Keri Murphy
Current principal
Northside Elementary
St. James
507-357-3325
Simone LaBonté
Communications and Awards Manager
Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association
952-297-8670
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Northside Elementary Named a 2025–26 Minnesota School of Excellence
St. James school honored for its shared vision, focus on literacy, and commitment to the whole child
(Roseville, MN, September 2, 2025) —Northside Elementary has been named a 2025-26 Minnesota School of Excellence, an honor awarded by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA). This status is given to a select group of Minnesota schools that sustained a one-to two-year commitment of research and self-reflection to improve their schools. Their peer-reviewed application is centered around six standards of effective schools.
At Northside, the school’s culture, vision, and commitment to the whole child make it a place where all students can thrive. Their application stood out because of their commitment to a shared vision and also how they value diversity.
“Northside’s recognition as a Minnesota School of Excellence reflects the heart of who we are—a community united by a shared vision, a commitment to literacy as a pathway to opportunity, and a belief in nurturing the whole child,” commented principal Keri Murphy. “Our strength comes from celebrating diversity, partnering with families, and ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.”
A Shared Vision for Learning
At the heart of Northside’s success is a deeply embedded guiding vision: “A lifetime of learning, growing, and succeeding together.” This vision shapes decision-making, instructional priorities, and community partnerships. It reflects a collective commitment to academic achievement, inclusivity, and the social-emotional well-being of every student.
One powerful extension of this vision is the school’s collaboratively crafted literacy vision. “At Northside Elementary, our goal is for every student to become a confident and skilled reader.” They shared in their application. “True literacy goes beyond decoding—it requires understanding. We believe that literacy is a fundamental social justice issue, empowering our students to engage with the world as informed and active global citizens.”
This focus on literacy guides everything from curriculum decisions to coaching and goal-setting. It has become a unifying force for the school’s professional learning communities.
Diversity Enhances Learning
Northside also stood out for embracing diversity as a core strength. With a majority Hispanic/Latino student population and about 40% multilingual learners, the school celebrates language and identity in daily instruction and culture. Spanish is woven into routines and signage, all students in grades 3–5 receive Spanish instruction, reinforcing that multilingualism is a valued asset in the school community.
Family engagement is another hallmark of Northside’s approach. The school has maintained an extremely high parent-teacher conference attendance by offering flexible scheduling, multilingual communication via TalkingPoints, and the support of a dedicated cultural liaison. Families are actively included in decision-making, from class placements to strategic action planning.
MESPA Executive Director Michelle Krell praised Northside’s achievement. “Northside Elementary is proof that when vision, values, and community work hand in hand, remarkable things happen for students. Their literacy work, inclusive practices, and deep family engagement set a standard for excellence.”
About the MN School of Excellence Program
The Minnesota School of Excellence program is grounded in research, based on six standards of effective schools and is peer reviewed. It’s a one- to two- year-long journey of reflection, learning, and goal-setting. The Minnesota School of Excellence program emphasizes that excellence is not an end goal—it’s a process. It’s built day by day, decision by decision, through reflection, responsiveness, and a shared belief that growth is always possible.
Congratulations to Northside Elementary for this achievement.