Minnesota Academic League

The Minnesota Academic League promotes and advocates for high-quality academic enrichment opportunities for students. It consists of academic enrichment program providers and volunteers representing academic challenge coordinators, educators, and education stakeholder groups who meet regularly to review and approve academic enrichment programs that are available statewide and meet the established criteria. Approved programs are listed in the Reach for the Stars catalogue, a free resource for educators, families and students created and published yearly as a public service by Synergy & Leadership Exchange, with generous support from the Minnesota Service Cooperatives.

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 For More Information Contact  Barb Bergseth 507-389-5112

Mission, Vision and Values Statements; Purpose

Mission:

To promote high-quality educational opportunities for all K–12 Minnesota students through academic challenges and enrichment activities.

Vision:

A future where all students have access to high-quality academic challenges and enrichment activities positively affecting achievement and growth.

Values:

  1. We value diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in all our programs.
  2. We believe academic enrichment plays a role in closing the opportunity gap.
  3. We value our volunteers and community members who support and make academic challenge and enrichment activities possible for all students.
  4. We provide Reach for the Stars as a free resource to easily access high-quality academic enrichment options.

Purpose:

Review and approve programs and activities, educate and advocate for academic enrichment, and promote the value of high-quality educational enrichment opportunities.

Minnesota Academic League Council

The Minnesota Academic League is governed by the Minnesota Academic League Council. The council meets regularly to promote and advocate for academic enrichment opportunities for students, set criteria for programs to be listed in Reach for the Stars, and review and approve Reach for the Stars program applications. Synergy & Leadership Exchange provides administrative support for the council. Thank you to the members for their time and expertise:

   Keem Anderson, Ignite Afterschool, Associate Director

   Wendy Behrens, Minnesota Department of Education, Gifted Education Specialist

   Paul Brinkman,* Northeast Service Cooperative, Executive Director

   Patti Haasch, MAAP STARS; Minnesota Elementary Principals Association, Retired Principal Representative

   Carol Malueg, Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented, Representative

   Melanie Schmidt, Minnesota Community Education Association, Representative

   Bonnie Vagasky, BestPrep, Vice President, Educational Programs

   *Chair

Minnesota Academic League Affiliate Members

Thank you to the Minnesota Academic League Affiliate Members whose financial support helps make Reach for the Stars available to students, educators, schools and families across the state.

Affiliate Members

Minnesota Academic League Strategic Partners

Thank you to the Strategic Partners who support academic enrichment opportunities for all Minnesota students and assist with Reach for the Stars in the following ways:

  • Financial or in-kind donations
  • Distribution of catalogues to schools, districts, parents and students
  • Distribution of catalogues at conferences, exhibitions and tradeshows
  • Forwarding of Reach for the Stars and Synergy & Leadership Exchange news to members
  • Promoting Reach for the Stars in publications, newsletters and websites

To become a Reach for the Stars Strategic Partner, contact us today.