Countryside Elementary School

Countryside Elementary School is a public school in Edina, Minnesota, that serves students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. It is part of the Edina Public Schools district. About 625 students go to the school, and there is one teacher for every 13 students. Countryside has a number of unique academic programs, such as a Spanish dual-language immersion option, a Continuous Progress multi-age learning program, and a strong focus on social-emotional learning through its "Countryside Strong" character curriculum. The student body is not very diverse; about 74% of students are White, 8% are Hispanic, 8% are Black, 5% are multiracial, and 5% are Asian. The school spends about $12,000 per student, which is in line with what other suburban schools in the area spend. Recent district data shows that about 80% of Edina students meet or exceed state standards for math and English language arts. Countryside Elementary School is in a wealthy suburban area where the average home price is about $620,000. The school is known for its supportive learning environment, creative teaching methods, and involvement in the community. The school is good at giving each student personalized instruction and extra activities, and it keeps working on making sure that all students are treated fairly and that they are all making progress in their studies.

Cynthia Maldonado will be the new principal of Countryside Elementary School in Edina starting in July 2024. Karen Bergman, who worked at the school for 13 years, is leaving and she is taking over. Maldonado has worked in bilingual programs and elementary schools before, and families are excited about her plans to help the school's Spanish dual-language program. Staff say she cares about the health and happiness of her students, learning by doing, and making strong connections with students and their families. The school is still dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere and programs that help all students do well.

Q1. What kinds of after-school activities does Countryside Elementary School offer?

Ans. Countryside Elementary offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including choir, band, art club, chess club, robotics, and seasonal sports programs for students in upper grades.

Q2. Does the school offer services for students with special needs?

Ans. Yes, Countryside Elementary has a special education program that helps students with different learning needs by giving them personalized instruction and other services like speech therapy and occupational therapy.

Q3: What kinds of technology can students use?

Ans. The school has computer labs, tablets for each classroom, and interactive whiteboards. It also uses technology in lessons to help students learn math, science, and reading better.

Q4. Can parents get involved at Countryside Elementary?

Ans. Yes, parents can be involved by joining the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), volunteering for activities in the classroom, going to school events, and helping with community projects and fundraising efforts.

Q5. What does the school do to keep students healthy and well?

Ans. Countryside Elementary stresses health and wellness by serving healthy meals, having physical education classes, keeping a school counselor program, and making social-emotional learning a part of everyday life."