The MN Academic League Council was created in 2006 to work in cooperation with the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE). The council consists of volunteers representing academic challenge coordinators, students, educators, and education stakeholder groups who meet regularly to review and endorse academic enrichment programs that are available on a statewide basis. CAE provides administrative support for the council, and creates and publishes the Reach for the Stars catalogue which lists the programs and activities endorsed by the MN Academic League Council.

Mission: To work in partnership with CAE to promote and to advocate for academic enrichment for all students.

Vision: To expand opportunities for students, encourage higher student performance through academic challenges, and support enrichment activities as a pathway to academic excellence.

Purpose: Review and endorse programs/activities and advocate for academic enrichment.

• Provide a regular review of all programs/activities included in Reach for the Stars.
• Proactively identify new programs for endorsement.
• Maintain a diverse council membership in terms of representation to include statewide organizations and people.
• Serve as presenters at education organization conferences and workshops.

Criteria: Each program/activity is evaluated to determine the educational enrichment for schools and students, based on five criteria:

• Purpose: The primary intent is educational in nature and encourages academic enrichment.
• Inclusiveness: The program/activity encourages and welcomes students of many interests and abilities throughout the state
• Cost: the program/activity is financially accessible to participants.
• Sustainability: The program/activity has a sustainable long term plan in place
• Impact: The benefit to K–12 students in educational, civic, social, and character development.

Programs that have received the MN Academic League Council's endorsement are included in the Reach for the Stars catalogue, which is published as a public service by the Center for Academic Excellence, with generous support from Lifetouch Publishing. The current edition of Reach for the Stars is available for download in a PDF format:

Reach for the Stars (Acrobat PDF; 2 MB)

At the request of our affiliates, the MN ALC is providing a sample* “Code of Conduct” for participants and advisors for use with academic programs and challenges. These sample codes are suggestions which maybe adapted to fit individual criteria. We have also provided a sample press release for adaptation.

*Use of materials contained in the CAE Internet Web Site is permitted. Duplication, reproduction, manipulation, or derivation, whether commercial or otherwise, for commercial gain is prohibited without the express written consent of CAE.