Our mission is:

to inspire and prepare all students with the confidence, courage and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning.

We believe that lifelong learning is essential for the individual and community to thrive; that trust is essential to sustaining successful relationships and to achieving results; and that better decisions emerge when diverse perspectives are intentionally included in a collaborative process. The mission and these core values are the foundation of our Strategic Plan which focuses our energy and resources on student learning in a collaborative culture.

ISD 279 is the fifth largest school system in Minnesota and serves all or parts of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Hassan, Maple Grove, Osseo, and Plymouth. Students learn at 17 elementary schools (K-6), four junior highs (7-9), three senior highs, an area learning center (9-12), two early childhood centers, and an adult education center.

All elementary schools focus on reading and math achievement. Students also receive instruction in writing, research, science, social studies, physical fitness, health, and the arts. Literacy in technology, media and information retrieval is taught within subject areas and is supported by specialists at each school. Talented and gifted programming is available at each school as well. Schools offer a variety of programs such as Be Four preschool, all-day kindergarten, multi-age classrooms and team teaching. Weaver Lake: A Math Science and Technology Magnet School specializes in inquiry-based, hands-on classroom science and math activities with state of the art technology and equipment for collecting and analyzing data where students learn as scientists. Birch Grove School for the Arts offers students a specialized opportunity to achieve through the integration of fine arts, dance, drama, and music.

Secondary schools (junior high grades 7-9, senior high grades 10-12) offer comprehensive programming to prepare students for post secondary education. Students have access to advanced courses in every area. Specialized programs for talented and gifted learners include exciting opportunities to work with mentors in professional fields. North View Junior High and Park Center Senior High are International Baccalaureate (IB) World schools offering the Middle Years Programme to students in grades 6-10. Park Center plans to offer the IB Diploma Programme in 2009.

Teachers in the ISD 279 system are provided time to focus on increasing students’ achievement by working in professional learning communities. As continuous learners, teachers improve their practice by working with master teachers who act as instructional coaches and technology integration specialists. In fact, ISD 279's technology integration initiative has won state-wide recognition.

ISD 279-Osseo Area Schools Points of Pride 2009-2010
 

• The Minnesota Safety Council has awarded Osseo Area Schools a Governor’s Safety Award for superior performance in workplace safety and health. ISD 279 is one of 256 employers—and the only school district in Minnesota—to be recognized at the Governor’s Safety Awards luncheon on May 14.
• In only its second full year, Park Center’s IB Programme has almost doubled the number of students seeking the full IB Diploma. Sixty-six students are enrolled in the rigorous full Diploma Programme in 2010-11, and another 400 students are taking at least one IB course next year. Fifty six students will take IB tests this spring (the first opportunity) and over 400 tests will be given in May 2011.
• The February 2 Business Beat segment on Channel 12 showed how students in the Osseo Area Schools Community Based Vocational Assessment and Training program help local businesses. The feature story described the success students have had obtaining jobs, earning an income, and learning valuable life skills through the program.