Graduation Rate Soars to New Heights

Princeton High School has accomplished an outstanding graduation rate of over 95% for 2022, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Education this month. The 95% rate is among the highest in the state. It is a direct result of hard work, self-discipline, and commitment to learning. This accomplishment is a significant milestone and a source of pride for the school district.

We take pride in surpassing the state's average graduation rate of 83%, and we recognize that our students' achievements extend beyond academics. Each student has unique strengths, interests, and aspirations, ranging from athletics, music, volunteering, leadership, and more.

The graduation rate is even more noteworthy, considering the unprecedented challenges that our students encountered during the pandemic. Students had to adjust to remote learning, endure social isolation, and navigate an ever-changing landscape. Nevertheless, our graduation rate remained above 90% throughout the pandemic, demonstrating resilience and determination to accomplish great things despite difficult circumstances. We have no doubt that this year, the Princeton High School Class of 2023 will continue to uphold this impressive legacy. 

Our students give us so much to be proud of every day. This year, our boys soccer team went to the state tournament for the first time in Princeton history. Students from our Speech Team represented the district at the state tournament. The HS FFA team is headed to Nationals for the 15th time. Our robotics teams at the Intermediate, Middle and High Schools achieved recognition at state and national levels. Our Spanish Immersion program continues to thrive, serving students from kindergarten through middle school. Students are volunteering, performing, practicing, achieving, earning college credits and job experience, and, most of all — they are learning!

As we look forward to the future of Princeton High School, we are grateful for the dedicated staff and community who support our students in their academic pursuits. Our teachers and team members work tirelessly to provide a well-rounded education that prepares our students for success beyond high school.

We are particularly grateful for the leadership and guidance of Barb Muckenhirn, who served as principal of Princeton High School for the past decade. Under her leadership, the school has focused on academic excellence and provided students with a challenging and relevant curriculum. In addition, her commitment to student success and staff well-being has significantly impacted our school community. We wish her all the best as she takes on a new role as Superintendent at Greenbush-Middle River and Tri-County School District.

“As I transition into a new role, I feel similar to many of our class of 2023 graduates. We’re all moving forward, and it feels both exhilarating and scary at the same time. It’s sad to leave the place and people we know and care deeply about, yet it’s an opportunity to grow and make new friends. Princeton High School is a warm and welcoming school where each student is known and cared for,” said Principal Muchkenhirn. “My wish for the graduates of 2023 is the same hope I have for every graduate: to find a workplace filled with colleagues who become friends. That they love where they work as well as the work they do. I wish for them to find a workplace like Princeton High School has been for me.”

We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Jensen as our new high school principal, who is a former Princeton High School teacher and assistant principal and the current superintendent of schools at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Schools. He is excited to continue the legacy of excellence at Princeton High School, supporting students and expanding our Tiger Career Academies to ensure that all students graduate college and career-ready.

At Princeton Public Schools, we are committed to helping our students realize their full potential and achieve their goals. We know that our students can achieve great things, and we take our responsibility to support them seriously.

I want to thank our students, staff, and community for their unwavering dedication to our school district. Together, we can continue to provide our students with the education they need and deserve. We can celebrate what it means to be a successful school district — one that values every child and recognizes the incredible potential of every student. We are a destination district, and we are #477PrincetonProud.

Congratulations to the Princeton High School Class of 2023! We are incredibly proud of your achievements and excited to see what the future holds for each of you.