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With the recent passing of a $1 million levy referendum, the Dassel-Cokato School District is making headway to reduce class sizes and create more educational opportunities for its students.
Students among the five schools that make up the district are sure to benefit from the communities’ investment in education.
The mission of DC School District 466 is to “provide programs of educational excellence to students of all ages.”
This includes all learners, beginning with Early Childhood Family Education, to community members joining in Community Education programs.
The district’s k-12 population is approximately 2,300. Schools include Dassel Elementary, located in the heart of Dassel; Cokato Elementary, near downtown Cokato; and the Dassel-Cokato High School, middle school as well as the Early Childhood Family Education Center located between the two towns, along Highway 12.
In 1972, Dassel and Cokato combined schools in a brand new facility. In 2004, an addition was made, including a Performing Arts Center (PAC), an 800-seat auditorium used for a variety of school and community events. Along with the PAC came a 2,000-seat gymnasium and a brand new football field and track.
New for DC is Parent Portal, an online resource for parents to view their child’s up-to-date school-related information. Parent Portal allows parents and teachers to better communicate their student’s information regarding grades, attendance, lunch account balance, and more.
In all levels of learning, the Dassel-Cokato Schools teach character education, which includes six character-building pillars; respect, responsibility, resiliency, integrity, compassion, and understanding diversity.
Along with the pillars, the schools have adopted the Olweus anti-bullying program, teaching students to step up and stop bullying in and outside of school.
The school district can be reached at (320) 286-4100. To visit its web site, check out www.dc.k12.mn.us.
Early Childhood and Family Education
The Early Childhood programs include Early Childhood and Family Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Play ‘n’ Learn Preschool (which is a school-readiness preschool), and Early Childhood screening. Community Education is located on the west end of the high school facility. To contact ECFE or Community Education call (320) 286- 4120.
Elementary schools
Both the Dassel and Cokato elementary schools were named 2004-05 Schools of Excellence by the Minnesota Elementary School Principal’s Association.
Cokato Elementary has an enrollment of about 540 in kindergarten through fourth grade. It is located at 200 Fifth Street S.W. in Cokato. To contact Cokato Elementary, call (320) 286-4100 ext. 1300
Dassel Elementary is also growing with approximately 385 students enrolled. It is located at 131 William Avenue East in Dassel. To reach Dassel Elementary, call (320) 286-4100, ext. 1500.
Because of the levy, both schools have been able to offer lower class sizes. In kindergarten through second grade, class sizes are not to exceed 22 students; and in grades three and four, class sizes are not to exceed 25.
All schools encourage parent volunteerism to get parents involved in their children’s school experience.
Middle and high schools
The Dassel-Cokato Middle School has made some schedule changes, which gives students more time for learning in the core classes of science, math, communication, and social studies. The change also gives students physical education opportunities on a daily basis rather than one trimester per year.
The passing of the levy has created lower class sizes in grades five through eight of 28 students and under. It has also allowed students additional remedial assistance in the areas of reading and math.
The Dassel-Cokato High School believes in “preparing students for lifelong success in a global society.” Along with a range of academic opportunities including advanced placement courses, the high school offers a variety of extra and co-curricular activities as well.
The high school is excited to begin its first year offering Project Lead The Way, an engineering program to get more students involved in that particular field.
To reach the middle school, dial (320) 286-4100 ext. 1600; or ext. 1800 for the high school.
