Kenny Elementary School Named a Minnesota School of Excellence

Kenny Elementary School has been named a 2026 Minnesota School of Excellence by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA). This 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. This is the second time Kenny Elementary has earned this distinction; the first was in 2016.

For Principal Dr. Jessica Busse, this was her second application for Kenny, as she helped write the application as an administrative intern in 2016. When she returned as the principal two years ago, she and the school community set a goal to gain this recognition again. “Kenny is a sweet spot for students and staff," said Busse. "It is truly a community that feels like family. We laugh and cry together and hold each other up. This award does not mean that our work is done or we have it all figured out. It means that we are constantly working to improve and grow, so that our students can do the same. I am so proud of our staff and students!”  

Supporting Every Learner

Kenny's school improvement efforts are centered on closing achievement gaps and ensuring every student is challenged, supported and inspired to succeed.

• Teachers incorporate diverse perspectives throughout the curriculum, while classroom libraries, instructional materials and schoolwide lessons reflect the diverse communities students live in.
• Family engagement efforts are intentionally designed to ensure every voice is heard and every family feels welcomed as a valued partner in their child's education.

Together, these efforts create a school where every student feels known, supported, and prepared to thrive.

Student Voice Connects Learning to the World Around Us

Student voice is embedded throughout the Kenny experience, ensuring that the learning environment remains connected and responsive to the continually changing context of the surrounding community and the wider world.

• Staff view significant current events—whether local, national, or global—as critical chances to facilitate real-life discussions and provide lessons that build social awareness, critical thinking and emotional literacy among students.
• By integrating real-world events into the curriculum and daily conversations, Kenny Elementary fosters a culture where students learn to process complex information, demonstrate empathy and understand their roles within a broader societal framework. 

Systems That Support Every Learner

Kenny's collaborative problem-solving systems ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed.

• Data is at the heart of the school’s continuous improvement process, guided by the belief that, "Every number is a student and a story."
• Educators work collaboratively with specialists, interventionists, social workers and support staff to respond quickly to student needs while maintaining high expectations for all learners.
• These systems, combined with research-based literacy and math instruction and continuous professional learning for staff, have created a culture where academic excellence and student well-being go hand in hand.

A Commitment to Continuous Excellence

"Kenny Elementary stands out for its intentional focus on meeting the needs of every learner, its collaborative approach to improving outcomes for students, and its clear commitment to ensuring every child is challenged, supported, and successful," said Michelle Krell, Executive Director of MESPA. 

The Minnesota School of Excellence program recognizes schools that embrace continuous improvement through a rigorous, research-based process aligned to six standards of effective schools. The application is then validated through peer review. The designation reflects a philosophy that excellence is not an end goal, but rather a process. It’s an ongoing commitment to reflection, innovation and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.