Minnesota Academic League
The Minnesota Academic League promotes and advocates for high-quality academic enrichment opportunities for students. It consists of academic enrichment program providers and volunteers representing academic challenge coordinators, educators, and education stakeholder groups who meet regularly to review and approve academic enrichment programs that are available statewide and meet the established criteria. Approved programs are listed in the Reach for the Stars catalogue, a free resource for educators, families and students created and published yearly as a public service by Synergy & Leadership Exchange, with generous support from the Minnesota Service Cooperatives.
For More Information Contact Barb Bergseth 507-389-5112
Mission, Vision, Purpose
Mission:
To promote high-quality educational opportunities for students through academic challenges and academic enrichment activities.
Vision:
A future in which all students have access to high-quality academic enrichment challenges and activities positively affecting achievement and growth.
Purpose:
Review and approve programs and activities, educate and advocate for academic enrichment, and promote the value of high-quality educational enrichment opportunities.
Minnesota Academic League Council
The Minnesota Academic League is governed by the Minnesota Academic League Council. The council meets regularly to promote and advocate for academic enrichment opportunities for students, set criteria for programs to be listed in Reach for the Stars, and review and approve Reach for the Stars program applications. Synergy & Leadership Exchange provides administrative support for the council. Thank you to the members for their time and expertise:
Keem Anderson, Ignite Afterschool, Associate Director
Wendy Behrens, Minnesota Department of Education, Gifted Education Specialist
Paul Brinkman,* Northeast Service Cooperative, Executive Director
Patti Haasch, MAAP STARS; Minnesota Elementary Principals Association, Retired Principal Representative
Kristin Wheeler Highland, Early Childhood Specialist
Carol Malueg, Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented, Representative
Melanie Schmidt, Minnesota Community Education Association, Representative
Bonnie Vagasky, BestPrep, Vice President, Educational Programs
*Chair
Minnesota Academic League Affiliate Members
Thank you to the Minnesota Academic League Affiliate Members whose financial support helps make Reach for the Stars available to students, educators, schools and families across the state.
Minnesota Academic League Strategic Partners
Thank you to the Strategic Partners who support academic enrichment opportunities for all Minnesota students and assist with Reach for the Stars in the following ways:
- Financial or in-kind donations
- Distribution of catalogues to schools, districts, parents and students
- Distribution of catalogues at conferences, exhibitions and tradeshows
- Forwarding of Reach for the Stars and Synergy & Leadership Exchange news to members
- Promoting Reach for the Stars in publications, newsletters and websites
To become a Reach for the Stars Strategic Partner, contact us today.