Education
Centennial District 12 is the connecting hub for the communities of Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Lexington, and Lino Lakes, located 20 minutes North of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Centennial School District has nine exceptional schools serving approximately 7,000 students. Centennial School District has five kindergarten through 5th grade elementary schools, one 6-8 grade middle school, one 9-12 grade two-building high school, and an Alternative Learning Center. The district also has an Early Childhood Center and adult education center for ABE/ESL students.
Land Area
Centennial schools encompass 27 square miles of primarily residential development featuring beautiful lakes and parks. Centennial students and staff strive for excellence in education which includes achievements both inside and outside the classroom.
Education Program
Centennial has a comprehensive K-12 program where students explore:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Communication
- Business
- Vocational education
- Physical education
- Art
- Social studies
- Music
- Modern languages
A full continuum of services for students with special needs is available at each school site. Support services include the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program, special education, Assurance of Mastery, and Title I.
Elementary Education
Our elementary schools have been recognized for their extensive use of technology with many teachers receiving grants to enhance learning experiences for students. Centennial is committed to maintaining small class sizes with an average K-5 teacher/student ratio of 1:23.
The curriculum includes communication, math, science, art, health, social studies, physical education, music, media and computer technology. The health program includes conflict resolution through Peace Works curriculum.
More Information
Middle School
The middle school opened in the fall of 1997 and serves over 1,750 students with 180 teachers, food service personnel, custodians and paraprofessionals supporting the educational needs of students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Middle school staff believe learning is a lifelong collaborative process involving all members of the community.
The middle school is arranged in three two-story houses. Each floor has classrooms around the perimeter with a shared central staff office area, work and conference area in the center. Students are assigned to teams with two teams on each floor. Each team supports student learning by promoting staff-to-staff and staff-to-student interaction.
Centennial Middle School is committed to providing students, parents, and the community with a quality middle school program.
High School
Centennial High School is a comprehensive 9-12 grade, two building high school of over 2,100 students and 220+ staff members. CHS is located about 20 minutes north of the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Centennial serves all or portions of the cities of Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Lexington and Lino Lakes. Non-resident students are also welcome to Centennial.
Centennial was named a national School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education. Students and staff strive for excellence in academics, activities, the arts, and service to the community. Centennial students compete in athletics and activities in the Northwest Suburban Conference of the Minnesota State High School League. CHS students are strong competitors receiving honors in academics, the arts, and athletics.
Centennial Alternative Learning Center (CALC) & Pines School
The Alternative Learning Center is a community based program for students who prefer a different approach to learning.
- The high school off-campus program includes computer assisted learning, vocational/technical courses, community-based work experiences, post-secondary options and performance based curriculum instruction.
- The middle school on-site program focuses on strengthening self-esteem through individualized, cooperative instruction; computer-assisted learning; reading instruction and tutoring; and study skills.
Program expansion into several elementary schools is underway.
Technology
Centennial schools are known for their extensive technology equipment and facilities throughout the district. The district has a student to computer ratio of 1:8 in the elementary schools and 1:4 in the secondary level. Each classroom has at least one computer, as well as a television with cable access, and a telephone.
Each of the seven schools and the district office are connected to a fiber-optic backbone, which connects each school to the district Wide Area Network (WAN). All buildings have access to the Internet including email within and out of the district.
Centennial School Board
A six-member school board governs the district. Board members are elected at-large on Election Day in November. The superintendent is an ex-officio member of the board. Board meetings are held on Mondays at 7 pm in the District Office Board Room or at one of the schools. Minutes are printed on the website and in the local newspaper, the Quad Community Press.