Welcome to Groveland Elementary School!

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year!  We have been hard at work this past spring and summer continuing to find ways to support students and families as they journey toward success. 

As I have discovered, and I’m sure you will, as well, Groveland Elementary is a strong and supportive school community where families are welcomed and students thrive. Our dynamic and experienced staff have a proven track record of success and strive to partner with families to help students continue to grow. This year our teachers were recognized as among the best in the state. 

Here’s a little background on our school: Groveland is the longest continuously operating elementary school in Minnesota. We have grown tremendously from our humble beginnings as a one-room schoolhouse in 1854 to the top-tier elementary school that exists today. Recent facility innovations reflect a human-centered design for learning process with child-centered engagement at the heart of each classroom and learning space. 

Space changes include a bold redesign of our Media Center to The Learning Commons, reflecting emerging needs of our school community as a collaborative learning environment using digital and print materials with 21st Century fluency themes. We've expanded our food preparation area with healthier choices in mind and added new classrooms and specialist areas on the campus, including an outdoor classroom, courtyard and expanded parking. We are in the process of adding to our unique, inclusive "Green, Fit, Fun" playground that exemplifies our school community's commitment to active play.

In addition to our award winning staff and top-tier facilities, Groveland Elementary provides high-quality opportunities for students to grow and achieve by offering:

• Our Spanish Immersion program
• After-school Spanish classes
• Responsive classrooms
• A balanced literacy approach
• K-5 coordination of science instruction
• Technology integration, including our Media Center
• Adopted curriculum including Everyday Math, 6+1 Traits of Writing, Foss Science, History Alive and The Great Body Shop.
• Music, Art, Physical Education, Band and Orchestra taught by licensed specialists
• 5th grade music options

I’m grateful to our partnership with the Groveland PTA, which is made up of a committed group of parents. The PTA offers strong support by providing additional resources to our classrooms and engaging families in several fun-filled events each year. 

We welcome school tours all year long, and we invite you to use this link to sign up.

Thank you again for your interest in Groveland Elementary! I hope we hear from you soon.

Andrew Gilbertson
Groveland Principal