We want to acknowledge that district 196 resides within Minnesota Mak Makachi, the homeland of the Dakota people... This land has been Dakota's nation home for every generation since their creation at Bedote and Bedag Wakan.

Here at Dakota Ridge, we live by the belief that we are a community engaged in developing the unique skills of individual students through creative programming and collaboration.

Grit stands for goals, resilience, integrity, and trust.

I came to Dakota Ridge because I needed to improve my self advocacy and coping skills. I have autism and for me that means I have a hard time controlling my feelings, participating and listening.

I am proud of being respectful. It means I am nicer to people. This year I worked at Cozy Cup, the coffee cart and workbased learning class. I learned to use my skills to be respectful to the customers, teachers, and other staffs.

Each class was asked about their favorite thing at school, and all of these answers were compiled together into a beautiful rendition of What a Wonderful World.

This was a really big year of change for Dakota Ridge. We opened a new wing of the building. We welcomed new staff. But despite all the newness of it, one thing that continued to work behind the scenes was our Dakota Ridge community.

Every single day they show us what resilience, pure effort, and genuine happiness look like. Today is a celebration of their unique journeys, their hard work, and their pure joy that bring to all of us.

But this milestone also belongs to you, the parents, families, friends, and our dedicated staff. Thank you for your endless patience, your unwavering advocacy, and the deep love that has guided those students to this moment.