Achievement Plus is a private/public partnership between the Saint Paul Public Schools and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, begun in 1997. Other partners who helped create the initiative included the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, the State of Minnesota and many private funders and foundations.

The primary goal of Achievement Plus is to improve student achievement in schools located in low socio-economic areas of the city, while serving as a demonstration site and model for urban education.

The three main components of Achievement Plus are:

• Academics
• Extended learning opportunities (after-school programs)
• Learning supports that assist students, families and community members

Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School

Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School is a pre-K-6 school located in the East Side neighborhood of Saint Paul. School administrators, staff and students are held to high standards, with all students expected to meet or exceed the standard for their grade level. Extended Learning programs provided after school build upon classroom learning and are an extension of the daytime academic program for students needing additional academic support.

Through Achievement Plus, Dayton's Bluff students, families and community members have access to a wide array of supports, such as mental health services, and early intervention program for K-3 students, and dental care. The school has a Family Resource Room that serves families and community members who are dealing with a variety of needs, such as food, clothing, health, housing and employment. In addition, the school is physically connected to a City Parks and Recreation Center that provides students and families access to a theater, dance studio, a second gym with bleachers, computer lab, and sports, recreation and education opportunities.

John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School

John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School, a pre-K-6 school, provides education and support services to children from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade. The school opened in 2000 in a 75,000 square foot renovated building; the school is located adjacent to a 63,000 square foot YMCA, that serves students and community members. The renovated building was designed as a community school model, with space for Achievement Plus community partners located on the main floor of the school and K-6 classes located on the upper two floors. 

The school's academic program focuses on high standards, extended learning opportunities for students needing additional academic assistance, and supports for students, families and community members. On-site supports include a Family Resource Center and services related to health, dental, mental health and tutoring needs.

Franklin Music Magnet School

At this Achievement Plus site, two schools are co-located in one building. North End, a pre-K-6 school, enrolls students in gender-specific classes; students wear uniforms. The school’s expectation is that every student will graduate from high school, ready to go on to higher learning opportunities. Franklin Music Magnet School, K-6, offers a number of specialist services, including vocal music and a full-time instrumental teacher. A Family Resource Center serves both schools, providing assistance to students, families and community members with a variety of needs related to food, clothing, housing and employment issues. Other services provided relate to mental health, dental, and tutoring in reading.

Wilder Child Guidance Clinic - Achievement Plus

This program provides on-site mental health services and/or teacher consultations at the Achievement Plus schools. The program is a part of the Wilder Child Guidance Clinic, which provides mental health treatment to children and their families in the Saint Paul, Minnesota area.

To date, there are eight major lessons we've learned from Achievement Plus.