Golden Lake Elementary

Golden Lake Elementary

Who We Are

Golden Lake Elementary, located in Circles Pines, prepares students for life by inspiring them to grow academically, emotionally and socially. We pride ourselves for a focus on the acquisition of high-level academic skills and on healthy social, physical and emotional development.

With a diverse student body of 409 students, Golden Lake is a top-performing school, earning the state’s “Reward School” designation six times for remarkable achievements in individual academic growth, student proficiency and achievement gap reductions. Our math and reading scores are far above the averages of both the state and neighboring districts.

We couple high expectations for our students with a deep commitment to relationships. At Golden Lake, we understand that relationships are the fuel that drives the engine of success. Our staff work as a team and genuinely care about each other, creating a culture of collaboration and cooperation. Our ability to respect, celebrate and learn from our differences is central to what ties us together.

What We Offer

The “Golden Lake Way”: We live and breathe our commitment to high expectations for all students and tireless efforts to improve our teaching.

Focus on the individual: Our success is rooted in in figuring out what does and does not work for each individual student. We use data to drive our decisions, and personal relationships to turn those decisions into student success. 30% of our students have a mentor/mentee relationships that provides structure and support beyond the textbooks for our learners. 

High achievement: Our MMR (Multiple Measurement Rating System) score was in the top 1% of all schools in Minnesota in the past and our proficiency and growth ratings were in the 99th percentile, while our achievement gap reduction was also is in the 99th percentile.

Supportive programs: Golden Lake offers robust after-school programming, mentoring, reading buddies, English Language Learners Program, and talented and gifted services.

Principal: Chris Gerst