Achievement Plus is a private/public partnership between the Saint Paul Public Schools and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation; other partners who helped create the initiative included the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and the State of Minnesota.

The primary goal of Achievement Plus is to improve student achievement in Saint Paul’s urban schools, while serving as a demonstration site and model for urban education. Additional Achievement Plus goals.

The three main components of Achievement Plus are:

• Saint Paul Public Schools’ standards-based curriculum
• Extended learning opportunities that reinforce classroom progress
• Learning supports that assist students and families

First implemented at the elementary grade level in the Saint Paul Public Schools in 1997, Achievement Plus offers an innovative, effective approach to academic reform, responsive to the unique needs of urban school districts. By emphasizing literacy and employing clear standards for educational performance, Achievement Plus provides the tools for teachers to enable all students to reach their full academic potential. Achievement Plus continues to produce considerable results.

The Achievement Plus initiative is located in two elementary schools – John A. Johnson and Dayton’s Bluff. As the result of a recent grant from three private foundations, the concept is currently being embedded in Cleveland Junior High School. All three schools are located within a two-mile radius in one of the city’s lowest socio-economic areas.

Wilder Child Guidance Clinic - Achievement Plus

This program provides on-site mental health services and/or teacher consultations at Saint Paul Public Schools’ three 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.

Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School

Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School is a K-6 neighborhood school located in the East Side neighborhood of Saint Paul. The school's academic program is based on the America's Choice teaching model, which holds students, staff and school administrators to high standards. All students are expected to meet or exceed the standard for their grade level. Achievement Plus Extended Learning offers programs beyond the regular school day that build upon classroom learning and focus on homework.

Through Achievement Plus, Dayton's Bluff students and families have access to a wide array of student/family supports, including health care, dental care and mental health services. The school also has a Family Resource Room with information about community services and a recreation center that provides students and families access to a theater, dance studio, a second gym with bleachers, computer lab, and other sports, recreation and education opportunities.

Download our published case study on Dayton's Bluff

John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School

John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School provides education and support services to 320 children from kindergarten to 6th grade, in addition to 100 children who are part of the school's early childhood program.

The renovated 75,000 square foot school reopened in 2000 and is located next to a new 63,000 square foot YMCA that serves students and community members. The entire complex is a creative partnership among the city, the school district, Ramsey County, the YMCA, the East Side Family Center, and the Wilder Foundation.

The academic program focuses on high standards, extended learning opportunities for students and additional supports for students and families. On-site services for students and families include mental health, physical health, family support, early childhood, adult education, dental and tutoring services. These services are also made available to the larger community.

Download our published case study on John A. Johnson 

• Lasting partnerships with city, state, county, and private foundations to ensure the sustainability and success of the reform effort
• $52 million raised in capital improvements to implement the programs and services of the Achievement Plus initiative, and to provide for its long-term success
• Significant gains in the academic performance of students at the Achievement Plus schools

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