by Dr. Michael Rivard
School Superintendent
As a longtime resident of Sartell-St. Stephen and proud father of two Sartell High School graduates, it is with great enthusiasm I write to you as the superintendent of our exceptional school district.
During the past two decades, my family and I have had the privilege of living in this wonderful community. My children were fortunate to be loved and supported by this community throughout their entire K-12 experience, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities they experienced here. I now have the honor of leading this same district as we continue striving toward an even brighter future for our students. I want to share with you some updates for this school year.
As we reflect on the successes we’ve achieved and the traditions we hold dear, it’s important to recognize the strength of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District lies not just within the walls of our schools but within the hearts of the people who live and work here. As a resident for more than 20 years, I have seen firsthand the impact a caring and engaged community can have on the lives of its young people.
Improved scores
One of the most encouraging updates comes from our students’ performance on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. I am pleased to share we have seen marked improvements in test scores across various grade levels, reflecting the hard work of our teachers, staff and students. Our district’s academic excellence is further highlighted by Sartell-St. Stephen’s impressive rankings across schools in Minnesota:
- 18th in reading out of 331 school districts
- 15th in math out of 331 school districts
- 98% graduation rate (state average is 83%)
Enrollment
This year, we welcomed more than 3,907 students in K-12 grades, which aligns with the projections from the demographic study conducted in 2015 (which projected a range of 3,810-4,060 K-12 students). In addition, more than 200 preschoolers are attending our Early-Childhood Education programs. Maintaining steady enrollment numbers is critical, as it allows us to allocate resources effectively, plan for future growth and sustain the initiatives that make our schools exceptional. Our goal each year is to ensure enrollment exceeds projections.
100 meetings
Looking ahead, I am excited for the continued progress we will make together. Whether it’s academic success or achievements in activities, Sartell-St. Stephen has been a place where excellence thrives. Part of that progress involves fostering connections. When I started in July, I set a goal to complete 100 meetings with community members in 100 days, and I am halfway there. I look forward to meeting with more business owners, parents/guardians, grandparents, residents, alumni and staff. Your insights are invaluable as we work to make our schools and community the best they can be. If you’d like to schedule a time to meet, please visit www.isd748.org/CoffeeWithSuperintendentRivard.
Homecoming
Of course, no school year would be complete without the cherished tradition of Homecoming (the week of Sept. 22-28). Homecoming is more than just a week of fun events; it is a time for us all to come together and celebrate the pride we feel in our schools and the unity that defines Sartell-St. Stephen. I encourage everyone to take part in this year’s festivities.
Together, we will continue to build on the traditions that make Sartell-St. Stephen a truly special place to learn, live and grow.
