We're gearing up for another great school year - but let's take a look back on the accomplishments of Columbia Heights Public Schools this past year.

Students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to take college level courses for free, during the school day, right at Columbia Heights High School through the Early College Program. We are excited about our partnership with Anoka-Ramsey Community College, which is ranked among the Top 10 Community Colleges in the nation according to the Aspen Institute. 

The Columbia Heights High School Performing Arts Studio is a new learning space designed for students to learn about theater, dance, acting and performing. This year, high school students will be able to immerse themselves in the world of theater in this state of the art facility with new performing arts course offerings.

Personalized learning is expanding in Columbia Heights Public Schools. We prepare students for the 21st Century through high-tech and high-quality course offerings. Students in grades 4-11 will be provided with their own laptop computer or tablet to use for research, creating projects and completing assignments. We are also looking forward to the many ways students will use virtual reality goggles – a teaching tool that lets students take virtual expeditions around the world, visit historic landmarks, explore the deep sea and even visit outer space.

In 2016-17, Columbia Heights Public Schools was awarded state funding to expand preschool for 4 year olds. Through this funding, families are able to take advantage of early learning opportunities free of charge. We are pleased to continue to offer this programming at each of our elementary schools where students benefit from academically rich instruction in a fun and caring atmosphere.

The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program has expanded to all of the schools. By incorporating AVID, K-12 students, teachers and families use strategies to prepare for success in college and careers. Part of the AVID system is a strong focus on academics, organization and a growth mindset that teaches all of us to persist through difficult challenges, knowing we can learn a lot from the bumps along the road. Columbia Heights Public Schools students learn life skills and core values such as persistence and courage in order to grapple with complex academic tasks.

Columbia Heights Public Schools students experience lessons that are designed for the 21st Century and beyond. Whether it is experiencing agriculture from seed to the table in the Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard or bringing geography to life using technology and virtual reality applications, our scholars “see, do and learn” instead of “sit and get.”

We aim to create worlds of opportunity for every learner from Pre-Kindergarten to adults in Community Education and every age in between. We have a diverse community focused on collaboration, courage and innovation to provide students with the best education to prepare them for college and careers.

We invite you to learn more about Columbia Heights Public Schools whether it is attending one of the events listed in this calendar or volunteering in your neighborhood school. Columbia Heights Public Schools is where we all belong. Together, we can make this school year the best yet.
Heights Pride!

Superintendent Kathy Kelly is on Instagram! We invite you to follow her @thesuptcolheights as she shares stories, news, people, photos, videos and more fun that happens in Columbia Heights Public Schools. Start following her today!

Kathy L. Kelly
Superintendent
763-528-4436
KellyK@colheights.k12.mn.us

Dawn Hoium
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
763-528-4504
HoiumD@colheights.k12.mn.us