Kindergarten: 'finding home in Robbinsdale'

Jen Smith, Principal | Neill Elementary School

When you’re a school educator turned administrator, you see schools from every angle—the joy, the challenges, the countless behind-the-scenes moments that make a school come alive. As a teacher, a principal, and a parent, Principal Jen Smith has seen firsthand what it takes to build a place where kids thrive.

“I see the good, the bad, and the ugly of how schools operate,” Jen said. “And I believe so deeply in Robbinsdale Area Schools that I chose this district for my own family. When we were looking for a home, my husband and I only looked inside the Robbinsdale boundaries because we knew this was where we wanted our daughter to grow up.”

At Neill Elementary, where Jen has spent the past several years leading and learning alongside her staff and students, that belief only grew stronger. Neill, she said, is more than just a school; it’s a community where every child finds a place to belong—and every child is celebrated for who they are.

“Once a student has been in a teacher’s class, they’re always that teacher’s kid. It’s part of the culture here—you become part of a bigger family.”

“It’s a truly diverse school,” Jen said. “Every student can find someone who looks like them—and someone who brings a different life experience. It’s about giving kids mirrors that reflect who they are, and windows into the wider world.”

In Robbinsdale, differences—whether in culture, language, ability, or family background—aren't barriers. They’re part of the fabric that makes the community stronger. Staff work intentionally to foster a spirit of empathy, acceptance, and connection as a part of everyday life.

That spirit extends beyond the students. It’s part of how the entire community operates, from families to staff to the heartbeat of the school itself. Ask Jen what makes Neill Elementary special, and she doesn’t hesitate—it’s the people, the commitment, the feeling of being seen and valued the moment you walk in the door.

“People want to come to Neill, and they want to stay,” she said. “Our staff brings a wealth of experience, but they also keep growing and thinking differently. It’s not about doing things the way they’ve always been done—it’s about creating something even better for our kids.”

And it’s not just experience that makes the difference—it’s the deep relationships staff build with students and families. Relationships that don’t end when the school year does.

“There isn’t a single kindergarten teacher—or any teacher here—who isn’t willing to roll up their sleeves and do what’s best for kids,” Jen said. “Once a student has been in a teacher’s class, they’re always that teacher’s kid. It’s part of the culture here—you become part of a bigger family.”

Picture a third-grader bursting into their old kindergarten classroom, arms open wide for the teacher who once helped them tie their shoes. Imagine a student racing down the hallway just for a quick hello to a favorite staff member. Jen shares that these small moments happen every day at Neill—and they matter.

“I believe so deeply in Robbinsdale Area Schools that I chose this district for my own family.”

Jen knows how big that first day of kindergarten feels—not just as a principal, but as a parent who’s lived it herself.

“It’s a huge leap of trust to hand your child over to someone else,” she said. “At Robbinsdale, we understand that feeling. That’s why we focus on building strong connections right away—from one-on-one meetings with teachers before the year even starts, to a slower, more personal transition for our youngest learners.”

Kindergarten at Neill is about more than ABCs and 123s. It’s about helping young children find their confidence, build independence, and feel part of a community from the very beginning.

“Sometimes we forget to celebrate all the amazing things that happen in schools every day,” Jen said. “It’s easy to focus only on big things like test scores and curriculum. But the heart of what we do is also built in the small, everyday moments.”

For example, teaching life skills is just part of the day. “From opening a milk carton to zipping a jacket to finding your place in a classroom, we teach those skills right alongside reading and math,” Jen said. “It’s second nature. These small wins help kids feel capable and confident—and that foundation carries into everything they do at school.”

And if you ask Jen, there’s no one better at it than kindergarten teachers.

“Kindergarten teachers are magical,” she said. “They know how to make kids feel brave enough to try something new, confident enough to keep going, and proud enough to celebrate when they succeed.”

Those are the moments that don’t always show up on a report card—but they are what school is really about.

“Some of the greatest parts of school—the relationships, the moments of growth, the ways kids are seen and celebrated—that’s the magic you can’t always measure,” Jen said. “But it’s real. And it’s what makes this place so special.”

"Every student can find someone who looks like them—and someone who brings a different life experience."

As Principal Smith prepares to step into a new leadership role at FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, her message to families is simple: Please come and see us for yourself.

“There’s greatness happening in Robbinsdale Area Schools every single day,” she said. “The people who show up for our kids are extraordinary. The families who trust us with their children are extraordinary. Is it perfect every day? Of course not. But what’s happening here—the relationships, the growth, the heart—is absolutely worth it.”

She adds, “Take a tour. Walk our hallways. Meet the people who will see your child not just for who they are, but for who they can become. Get to know the real Robbinsdale. When you walk through our doors, you’ll feel the heart of this place—and you’ll know you’re home.”

Learn more about kindergarten in Robbinsdale Area Schools and find the right fit for your family! Visit our All About Kindergarten page, schedule a school tour, and explore our welcoming elementary schools: FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, Forest, Lakeview, Meadow Lake, Neill, Noble, Northport, Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (RSI), School for Engineering and Arts (SEA), Sonnesyn, and Zachary Lane. We can’t wait to meet you!