North Elementary has been named a 2025-26 Minnesota School of Excellence, an honor awarded by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA). That recognition will be celebrated on Monday, March 9, with a special program and music concert at the Saint Peter High School gymnasium starting at 6:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, and in addition to the Minnesota School of Excellence recognition, there will be several musical selections performed by North Elementary’s Combined Choir (gr. 2-4), under the direction of Robyn Woods, North’s music teacher.
(PICTURED ABOVE) North Elementary Principal Doherty (middle) along with the North Leadership Team members (l to r) Shelly Torbenson, Kelly Nyhammer, Jennie Friedrich, and Mandy Kennedy, posed for a photo at the MESPA’s annual convention where North was recognized as a MESPA School of Excellence.
The Minnesota School of Excellence 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. North Elementary is not only a place of learning, but also a hub for civic engagement and community partnership.
“Going through the School of Excellence process reaffirmed our belief that continuous improvement is at the heart of who we are at North Elementary,” North Principal Darin Doherty said. “We live by the idea that ‘when we know better, we do better,’ and our staff and students embrace that mindset every day.
“This recognition is an honor and well deserved, but what truly matters is the process—celebrating what is going well with clear evidence and setting goals and action plans to grow in the areas that need it. I couldn’t be more proud of our school community for the way we’ve committed to learning, reflecting, and improving together.”
The following is the list of events for Monday’s recognition program and concert:
PROCESSIONAL
Welcome - North Elementary Student Council President
Helena Turrittin, Mr. Hassing's 4th Grade Class
All-School Song Selection 1 - Combined Grades 2-4
“Step Into the Spotlight,” word and music by John Jacobson, Emily Crocker, and John Higgins
SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION
Superintendent Remarks - Dr. Jon Graff
School Board Chair Remarks - Dr. Charlie Potts
MESPA School of Excellence Award Presentation - Amanda Feterl, MESPA President ElecT
MESPA Award Acceptance - Darin Doherty, Principal, North Elementary
CELEBRATION PERFORMANCE CONTINUES
All-School Song Selection 2 - Combined Grades 2-4
“North Elementary!,” words and melody by Robyn Woods, accompaniment track by Mark Brymer
Student Leadership Recognition – Select Kindness Crew Group Leads, Amelia Atkinson, Ms. Zitur's 4th Grade Class and Beau Weideman, Mr. Hassing's 4th Grade Class
ALL-SCHOOL FINALE
All-School Song Selection 3 - Combined Grades 2-4
“Our School Was Made for You and Me,” words by Robyn Woods, music by Woody Guthrie
RECESSIONAL
North Elementary Principal Doherty (middle) along with the North Leadership Team members (l to r) Shelly Torbenson, Kelly Nyhammer, Jennie Friedrich, and Mandy Kennedy, posed for a photo at the MESPA’s annual convention where North was recognized as a MESPA School of Excellence.