School Spotlight: Lakeview Elementary

Lakeview Elementary is the only elementary school in the Robbinsdale School District that is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School. Teachers encourage questions and critical thinking in all classes.

“We’re really getting our kids to think critically,” said Teri Greenstein, IB coordinator at the school. “Rather than teacher standing in front of the room and delivering the information, we’re really trying to draw information out of the students by asking questions and asking them to tell us more.”

The school just went through a process to have their program evaluated. Greenstein says teachers are continually looking for new and engaging ways to encourage critical thinking.

“How do we continue to move forward,” asked Greenstein. “How do we continue to challenge ourselves and change things so we are always keeping ourselves with the best that we can with the program?”

The IB program has been part of Lakeview’s curriculum since 2009. The school educates Pre-K through fifth grade students in their Robbinsdale location. More than eighty percent of hte students are from the neighborhood, as it is a community school, but the remainder of the students open enroll from Crystal, North Minneapolis, and Golden Valley.

“I feel so blessed to be here every day,” says Bridget Hall, principal. “What makes our school so special is the whole-idea of international-mindedness. That comes right out of the IB program. It’s that global piece.”

Hall says the emphasis on a global focus fits well with the diversity of the student body.

“Our students come from a wealth of backgrounds,” says Hall.

Students at Lakeview Elementary are also planning to participate in a Night of Service Project on April 5 at Cooper High School.

Robbinsdale

School Spotlight