Each year, school officials in grades K-12 and providers of academic enrichment programs offered statewide are invited to name their top students as Minnesota's Academic All-Stars. Thanks to the financial support of several partners, the Center for Academic Excellence hosts a free recognition event for the Academic All-Stars. Recognition certificates are available to school officials who want to honor and recognize their Academic All-Stars at a local ceremony, or who are unable to attend the state event.

Students are selected as Academic All-Stars by their schools, with the recommended selection criteria including:

• The top academic achievers, as measured by school policy or practice,
• Students who have made a dramatic, positive turnaround in their academic work and achievement, or
• Students who have finished first in a regional, state, national or international academic competition endorsed by the state's Academic League Council.

Organizations whose programs or services are endorsed by the Academic League Council also are invited to nominate their regional, state, national or international champions as Academic All-Stars. Registration of students is conducted each spring via this website by teachers, principals or other school officials, who then receive an invitation to the Gathering of Champions to share with their students and the students' parents. 

The Gathering of Champions currently is held at the Great Room in the NEW Nickelodeon Universe®—Mall of America in Bloomington the first Friday in August. A series of hourly recognition programs is held throughout the day, featuring the parade of the Academic All-Stars across stage to receive certificates of achievement and congratulations from attending dignitaries. Participating students also receive commemorative memorabilia, and discount coupons for rides in Nickelodeon Universe®, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, and purchases at participating Mall of America merchants to share with family and friends who attend.

The Gathering of Champions was first held in 1990 on the grounds of the State Capitol, and later hosted at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, until the program was put on hold due to a loss of state funding in 2002. The recognition event was reinstated a year later in response to popular support from school officials and volunteer efforts led by Fridley High School principal David Webb.

STUDENTS AND PARENTS: Here is your link to pre-register for the Gathering of Champions recognition ceremonies at Nickelodeon Universe®-Mall of America on Friday, August 6, 2010.

STUDENTS AND PARENTS: Here is your link to frequently asked questions about registering and attending the Gathering of Champions.

2010 Gathering of Champions t-shirts are available: Order now > >

Congratulations to Anthony Lipetzky, grade 12
from Springfield Public Schools whose design
was chosen to be the 2010 Gathering of Champions logo.

THANK YOU to all those who attended the
2009 Gathering of Champions and to all the sponsors.

View PHOTOS from the event! 

Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren congratulates logo contest winner Carissa Sargent