Otsego Elementary Named a 2025–26 Minnesota School of Excellence

ISD 728’s Otsego Elementary School has been named a 2025-26 Minnesota School of Excellence, an honor awarded by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA). 

The School of Excellence Award is given to a select group of Minnesota schools and their staff who have sustained a one-to two-year commitment of research and self-reflection to improve their school community. The school’s application for recognition is centered around six standards of effective schools and is then reviewed by peers across the state. 

The honor comes as schools across Minnesota navigate changes in education while meeting the needs of every learner. Otsego Elementary is doing just that—investing in its staff, building strong partnerships, and creating enriching learning experiences for students.

"We strive for excellence in both academics and character by fostering creativity and curiosity, building confidence in every learner, and cultivating a strong sense of community,” said Principal Kelly Kudla. “Being named a Minnesota School of Excellence is a proud affirmation of our daily commitment to these values. Throughout the evaluation process, we discovered new ways to deepen our efforts and strengthen our commitments. I am incredibly proud of our Otsego Elementary community. Our dedicated teachers and staff are true difference-makers – their creativity, expertise, and unwavering commitment ensure that every student thrives and that our school remains vibrant and connected."
 

This development and delivery of a system designed to support and encourage students is aligned to ISD 728’s’s mission to “Educate, Inspire and Empower” all learners, and to develop students ready to contribute to their local and global communities.  

A Culture of Learning for Teachers 

At Otsego Elementary, professional learning isn’t left to chance. Staff development priorities are identified at multiple levels: school-wide, grade level, classroom, and individual. This is done through the School Achievement Plan (SAP) development, Professional Learning Community (PLC) collaboration, multi-level data review, and a robust multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). This ensures that training directly supports student learning needs.

“Otsego Elementary School’s recognition as a Minnesota School of Excellence is a testament to the dedication of its staff, families, and community partners,” said Jamie Nord, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Educational Services. “Their commitment to continuous professional learning and strong collaboration ensures that every student is supported to thrive. This honor reflects not only the strength of the Otsego Elementary community, but also the collective belief across ISD 728 that when educators grow, students are empowered to succeed.” 

Collaboration with district leadership and specialists is central to the process of determining staff professional development. “Since much of our professional development is organized and funded by district leadership, our collaboration in sharing our goals and needs is critical,” they shared in their application. Otsego Elementary shares its School Achievement and Professional Development plans with district leadership through many different channels.  As a result, staff have access to high-quality external tools and training that keep them on the cutting edge of best practices.

Connecting Students to the Wider World

Otsego Elementary doesn’t just invest in teacher learning—it invests in enriching student experiences through strong community connections, leveraging both community partnerships. From programs like Reading Corps, Americorps Seniors, and Junior Achievement, to unique experiences like a virtual Q&A with a University of Miami coral reef researcher, Otsego Elementary ensures students see learning as relevant, engaging, and connected to the real world.

Within ISD 728, Otsego Elementary also collaborates closely with other schools and departments, ensuring a coordinated approach to student support. Many staff members serve on district teams focused on areas like Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), MTSS, and curriculum selection and implementation.

“Otsego Elementary demonstrates how a commitment to both staff learning and student experiences leads to stronger schools,” said Michelle Krell, Executive Director of MESPA. “Their work highlights that when educators grow, students thrive.”

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.