Dear Saint Paul Public Schools Community,

I am pleased to present the Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) strategic plan, SPPS Achieves. This important work sets goals for student achievement, guides decision-making and focuses our efforts on long-term outcomes.

Over the last year, I have met with parents, students, teachers, staff and community members to understand what makes SPPS great and learn where we can improve. Many of those conversations identified similar themes – concern about growing achievement gaps between student groups; the need for culturally relevant instruction; the reality of increasing costs and shrinking resources; the opportunities for students to plan for college and career; and the desire for increased family and community engagement.

The SPPS Achieves Strategic Plan now provides a focus for this work. We will prioritize resources to help make an impact on student learning. And, we will support our staff in the most meaningful way possible to contribute to the improvement of long-term student outcomes.

Our schools, staff, neighborhoods and communities all play an important part in student success at every age. I hope you will take an active role in this strategic plan. Join us in making the SPPS Achieves Strategic Plan come alive in our schools and community.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement with Saint Paul Public Schools.

In partnership,

Joe Gothard
Superintendent