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What’s New

2024 Graduation Rates On Par With 2019

Two girls walking at graduation ceremony

SPPS Graduation: Celebrating the Class of 2025 (opens in new window/tab)

Two young girls making "eyeglasses" with their fingers

Few Spaces Remain for Summer Learning Programs (opens in new window/tab)

Three students and their teacher smiling for a group photo in an elementary classroom

Afterschool Professionals Provide Fun & Learning When School Is Out

Three SPPS Teachers are Finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

ECFE Teacher Larissa Kiel honored with 2025 Emerging Leader Award

Minnesota Department of Education Response to Federal Request

Students lined up with binoculars on the Mississippi river

‘Awesome’ Mini Grants Make Big Impact

St. Paul Area Athena Award Winners Announced

Hutcheson-Downwind Honored as Administrator of Year by MIEA

WE Are SPPS

VIDEO: Boys Volleyball Creates a Space to Belong

In its first season as a Minnesota State High School League sport, boys volleyball is teaching a new generation of student athletes not only how to bump, set and spike, but how to be part of a team and persevere through adversity. Most of all, it’s giving them a place to belong. Learn more about this new sport in this video featuring the Como Park Senior High team.

Student Eden Lee working on a tennis racquet

Harding Grad Finds Success Off the Court at Australian Open

Elden Lee, a former Hamline Elementary, Battle Creek Middle School and Harding High School student played two years of college tennis at Hamline, and recently found himself working at the Australian Open. While he wasn’t on the court, Lee played a huge part in the success of some of the world’s greatest athletes.

Hundreds of Saint Paul Public Schools student athletes begin each school year with dreams of succeeding on a bigger field of play. A professional court, maybe. And while it’s extremely difficult, statistically, to make that happen, there are other ways to make it to the top of your game.

Enter Elden Lee.

The former Hamline Elementary, Battle Creek Middle School and Harding High School, student played two years of college tennis at Hamline, and recently found himself working at the Australian Open. While he wasn’t on the court, Lee played a huge part in the success of some of the world’s greatest athletes.

Lee worked his first tournament as a “stringer,” restringing rackets between - or during - matches for tournament athletes. This included none other than Aussie Open champion Madison Keys; Lee was her stringer for rounds one through four of the tournament.

Lee, the youngest of four children, began playing tennis at age seven since his older brother, Derrick, played too. They both were standout student athletes at Harding.

“The community, everyone there is like a family,” Lee said. “It feels very inclusive.”

How did he wind up on this side of the court?

“When you’re playing sports, you have aspirations to go pro,” he said. “Obviously some people fall short. Some people make it. Since stringing is an essential part of tennis, I learned in a winter tennis program.”

That program is Saint Paul Urban Tennis, an organization that he still is close with. In fact, he donates tennis gear to them.

“I’ve been stringing ever since,” said Lee, who said he’s mostly self taught. “I just try to mimic their work, and the certain things they do to a racket.”

Lee worked at Michael Lynne’s Tennis Shop in St. Louis Park, and through connections got the call to go to Melbourne. Amazingly enough, the Australian Open was his first tournament. He’s got the famed BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., lined up in March.

“I’m stringing for many different people, some big names come and go through the room,” he said. “A string breaks, they bring the racket in the room and you’re in a rush to get the string on as fast as possible. For me it’s a rush. It’s a challenge and exciting. You’ve got to do your best to get it out as soon as you can, but still maintain the quality on it.”

Lee hopes to serve as an inspiration for others. Hopes and dreams can change, and still become reality.

Washington Tech's Mark Bauch is Education Support Professional of the Year

Congratulations to Mark Bauch, a special education educational assistant at Washington Technology, for being named the 2024-25 Education Minnesota Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year! Bauch is in his 14th year as an educational assistant for ninth-grade special education students at Washington.

Congratulations to Mark Bauch, a special education educational assistant at Washington Technology, for being named the 2024-25 Education Minnesota Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year!

A special shoutout to Latricia Adams from SPPS Online Elementary for her semifinalist nomination as well!

Bauch is in his 14th year as an educational assistant for ninth-grade special education students at Washington. “While I am in the classroom, I will go around the whole classroom while keeping an eye on my (special education) students,” Bauch said in nomination materials for the award. “I never want the kids that I work with to be singled out.”

Bauch was born and raised in St. Paul, which allows him to connect not only with his students but with their families. “Because I was born and raised here, I tend to know the families of my students,” he said.

Bauch’s colleagues say that he is respected by students and staff alike, both for the relationships he builds and the expertise he brings to the classroom. “Many staff members frequently consult him for advice, whether for instructional support or behavior management,” said Tim Hayden, special education teacher at Washington. Bauch is particularly skilled at working with students facing the greatest learning challenges. “Where others see difficulty, Mark sees opportunity,” Hayden said.

As the 2024-25 ESP of the Year, Bauch will receive an iPad or Chromebook and a $1,200 honorarium. He will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to the National Education Association ESP Conference next spring.

“Education support professionals are the backbone of our public schools, and schools simply can’t function without them,” said Education Minnesota President Denise Specht. “Mark’s passion for his students, support for his colleagues and commitment to his community exemplify the best that Minnesota ESPs have to offer.”

Young woman wearing pink shirt and long wavy hair standing in front of an elementary school

Katie Kupris: 'Kindness is My Politics'

Katie Kupris is a first-year teaching assistant at Como Park Elementary School, where she attended elementary school before finishing her SPPS education at Como Park Senior and Focus Beyond. Born with mosaic Down syndrome, Katie considers herself a person with a special ability and is being highlighted as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Katie Kupris is a first-year teaching assistant at Como Park Elementary School, where she attended elementary school before finishing her SPPS education at Como Park Senior and Focus Beyond. She loves working with kids and appreciates the support of her colleagues and family members. Born with mosaic Down syndrome, Katie considers herself a person with a special ability and is being highlighted as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

What is your job at SPPS?

In January 2024 I passed the para-educator assessment. I was hired as a Teaching Assistant 2 supporting special education students at Como Park Elementary for the 2024-25 school year. I'm quickly learning a variety of interventions that help my students follow directions when they are having a hard time. I have to admit that I'm pretty exhausted after a full day with these students. Before this, I worked for three years as a group aide for the Discovery Club at J.J. Hill Montessori. I enjoyed this job, my team and the students I supported. I learned a lot about working as part of a team and helping out where there is the biggest need.

What does it mean to you to work at Como Park Elementary?

I'm really proud to have a full-time job with SPPS. It's another step for me toward living independently without government assistance. As a person with a special ability, it was very important for me to find work I enjoy that allows me to be more self-sufficient. I like working with kids and I really enjoy what I'm doing.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I like the little moments with my students. The kids smile when they see me. One student calls out to me when getting off the bus "Katie Kitty," a little joke we shared about my name. These moments let me know that I'm making a difference.

I'm new in this role, so I'm working on getting to know my students and the staff better and building trust. Everyone here has been so helpful and kind to me. I really appreciate their support.

What do you want people to know about Down Syndrome and working with people with disabilities?

I was born with a condition called mosaic Down syndrome. It's not very common. There are only about 2% of the Down syndrome community that are born with mosaic Down syndrome. During my senior year in high school I made a video explaining the condition and the science behind it. I think it's important to understand that people like me with different abilities have a lot of skills to offer employers. I'm responsible, hard working, reliable, patient, and kind. I tell people that kindness is my politics. I can perform this job well and I enjoy learning new skills that will make me a better teaching assistant.

The most important thing to know about working with people with disabilities is that we are all more alike than different. We have feelings, we want to learn, we try our best. My students are learning how to better manage their emotions and behavior when many are non-verbal and they struggle to communicate how they feel. They have families that love them just like me that want them to be the best they can be and get the best education possible which is our right by law.

Anything else you'd like to share with the SPPS community about yourself or your job?

I attended Como Park Elementary as a kindergarten student in 2006. I had many great teachers and experiences here. It's hard to believe that one of my teachers who left a big impact on my life is now a colleague. I love to travel. I'm a great baker, dancer, singer and I love to crochet. I'm a sister, aunt, and godmother to my nieces. I live in Como Park with my parents. I enjoy hanging out with all my friends, especially my best friend Vika and my large extended family.

We Are SPPS: National Bus Safety Week

Chuck Spellman and Edward Lacy wake up early every day to ensure thousands of students in St. Paul get to and from school safely every day. Watch this video to learn more about them, and don’t forget to thank your bus driver this week during National Bus Safety Week!

Male student in JROTC uniform standing next to mural that says The Pride of the East Side

William Rubio: Harding Student's Success Starts with Showing Up for Himself

William Rubio is a National Honor Society member, takes multiple IB classes, is active in JROTC, volunteers in the community, and has a 4.2 weighted GPA. Now a senior at Harding High School, William’s success story didn’t start until he started showing up for himself.

Update (Nov. 27, 2024): Since sharing his story last month, William has been awarded an Optimist Scholarship, a computer for college from Minnesota Tech for Success, and was admitted to the prestigious Dean's Scholars program at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences.

William Rubio is a National Honor Society member, takes multiple IB classes, holds a Commander rank in his school’s JROTC, volunteers in the community, and has a 4.2 weighted GPA. Currently a senior at Harding Senior High School, he will join the Marine Corps Reserves after graduation and aspires to attend the University of Minnesota or Carleton College to earn a degree that allows him to give back to his community.

William’s resume wasn’t always this impressive. Multiple family traumas made it difficult for him to care about getting good grades or attending school. In eighth grade, he was absent more days than he was present. Living in public housing and often worrying where his family’s next meal would come from, it wasn’t until after William’s freshman year at Harding that he recognized the important role that education could play in his future.

"I had an epiphany that I wanted to do something more in life and have an impact on society. That's when I started to do more extracurricular activities, take advanced classes and join ROTC," William said.

"When you're unfocused in life, life beats you up and puts you against the wall. I got sick of it, I wanted a sense of control in my life, and to explore my identity through these opportunities that school gave me."

William, who is Native American, didn’t embrace his heritage until he got involved in the American Indian Studies program at Harding. He learned Dakota in middle school, is now in his fourth year of learning Ojibwe, and discovered that his heritage includes both nations. Now, he hopes to show other students like him that they can do anything they set their minds to.

"This change in mindset took place and his attendance and his grades improved," said Dan Kennedy, Harding’s American Indian Studies counselor. "Until students make the personal decision to change their mindset or until their education becomes an important part of their lives, change and positive outcomes can be slow. Everyone at Harding is trying to interrupt this and provide interventions that get results and improve data."

Harding Goes All In on Improving Student Attendance

Student, school counselor and assistant principal pose for photo outside Harding front office

The staff at Harding take a holistic approach to improving attendance, which research shows is a pivotal piece of students’ success in school. Administrators, counselors, social workers, teachers, and the school’s attendance team all work together to create positive relationships, remove barriers, and interrupt patterns of poor attendance. Some of the strategies they use include offering incentives, making home visits, and above all, never giving up on a student’s potential to succeed.

In the 2022-23 school year, 38% of Harding students missed 20 or more days of school. That number improved to 31% last school year, and the number of students missing five days or less also improved from 22% to 29%. The attendance team is working hard to continue this positive trend this year and into the future.

"I’m here despite the challenges that I faced. I want people to understand that you can decide to change, you can change your fate, you can change your future and who you are," William said. "Once you decide to start it will be difficult to keep going, but there is a reward waiting for you. You can do anything regardless of your circumstances."

Learn more about William’s story of perseverance and his dreams for the future in this video from KARE 11’s Breaking the News:

Saint Paul Public Schools

at a glance

At Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), our mission is both bold and simple: to inspire students to think critically, pursue their dreams and change the world.