Minnehaha Academy is a traditional college preparatory school that offers pre-K to grade 12…read moreeducation. MA has two beautiful campuses on the bluffs of the Mississippi River with spacious grounds, with about 12 acres each. MA, like many east coast prep schools, was founded by Protestants from Europe. Opening in 1913, the school is affiliated with the Covenant Church (a historic branch the Lutheran Church that is now a separate denomination). MA has a strong commitment to faith with weekly chapel services and taking a traditional approach to teaching religion by having specific religious classes and bringing the topic of religion into other classes as well. This is done with other subjects as well, since many of the humanities and sciences overlap--for example you could have a discussion in history class about science or literature; in this way the student is able to understand the whole story from multiple angles and gain a deeper understanding of the world. The schools commitment to academics is extraordinary, boasting one of the best AP programs in the state, and if the class doesn't have an AP test then the school offers alternatives such as the College in the Schools program where students take a class from the University of Minnesota from one of their teachers and earn college credit. The school has also partnered with various scientific institutions to send a project to the International Space Station each year, joining only two other high schools in the nation that have this honor. The language department is also very excellent offering French, Latin, Spanish and Chinese; all of which start out at high school levels (open to middle school students) and go through college levels. The teachers are highly educated and care very deeply about the students and for many, remain mentors throughout their time at the Academy and their future. Most of the teachers hold masters or doctorate degrees in their area of study. The community of students is kind and caring for each other, and many long lasting friendships are formed. The school also has excellent food and offers breakfast and lunch. MA has a head and sous chef who create healthy and delicious meals and snacks for the students. Breakfast generally has cereal, scones, sandwiches, eggs, pancakes, bacon, et cetera. Lunch offers a salad bar, made to order options, homemade soups and various options including fresh carved pork, turkey, pastas and chicken. The chefs are friendly and take student suggestions seriously and work hard to make the best food possible. The school is also very devoted to the arts and has a entire fine arts center that includes a woodshop, dark room, art room, pottery studio, band room, orchestra room, private practice rooms, art gallery, scene shop, costume shop, concert hall/theater. The school features several performance ensembles including a Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Men's Choir, Women's Chorale, Concert Choir and Madrigal singers. Each ensemble has earned top marks at state. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir go on tour, alternating year to year. The tour locations have included: Prague, Slovakia, Salzburg, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Washington D.C., Chicago among other locations. In the year the ensembles are on break from the tour, they put on variety shows: the bands perform the pops concert and the choirs perform a medieval dinner. The school puts on three plays: musical, play and student run show; each has one various state and sometimes national awards. The school also has top notch athletic facilities including separate soccer and football fields, a full size ice arena, two full size gyms, wrestling room and a weight room. MA's athletic teams have won a combined 4 state championships in the past decade alone and provide very supportive C, JV, and Varsity teams. The school also has many organizations and academic teams. The Debate team, which I captained during my time is one of the state's best, being the only school to have a pair of debaters go to the varsity finals back to back (my partner and I), bringing home a state championship and a 2nd place trophy. The school also offers clubs centering around the environment, music, literature, journalism and writing. The school newspaper and yearbook have won various national awards for journalism, photography, layout, overall achievement, etc. MA really helps students achieve and builds a strong foundation for college through curriculum, advanced academics, supportive staff, and graduation requirements that are similar to most colleges. Many of the students attend private 4 year institutions including St. Olaf, Carlton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Boston College, Vanderbilt, University of Chicago, Northwestern and more. Minnehaha Academy has nurtured the minds of some of Minnesota's best students. MA goes farther than the other prep schools in Minnesota: it truly is the place where youth meet truth.

From the owner: The original incorporation from 1905 stated: "The purpose of this institution shall be to furnish…read moreyoung men and women with the essential elements of a liberal education, and to foster the development of character under the personal influence of Christian teachers." On Monday, Sept. 15, 1913, Minnehaha Academy welcomed its first class of high school students. Grades 7 and 8 were added in 1972. In 1981, the land for the South Campus was purchased and a chapel was erected. By 1982, the Lower School served students in Grades 1 through 5. Kindergarten was added in 1985 and preschool in 1995. Students graduate from Minnehaha Academy prepared to excel in any number of fields. Some of our alumni include inventors, a Supreme Court Justice, Authors, War Veterans, an Olympian, Musicians, and many others in notable careers.

Nice teachers, nice kids, nice principal. Besides the school goop they call "lunch" (aka why I…read morebring my own) this school has made an excellent comeback! I hope it doesn't change when the entire green central kids move over here.

This School has been the worst 3 Years experience, at a School in my life…read more Schools are supposed to take bullying and harassment seriously, and I feel like this school only makes excuses for those bad behavior rather than addressing it. Then we have the Dean that I cannot believe, has been there as long as he has. Josh is the absolute worst, he is very immature. He bullies, harasses and makes it insufferable at school. Im being told other children are being called names by the Dean (Josh), I don't think an adult presented in the school, should ever be speaking badly of a Middle School student at Sanford. I find the behavior of the staff, specifically the Dean (Josh), as well of students, who are not being punished while other students are unprofessional. Not only is it unprofessional, it also makes me worry to send my child every day. The amount of disrespect from staff is absurd, and after speaking with other parents and finding out, that we are not the only family dealing with so much, I would have assumed the school would take time to fix what they are failing at.

Even if I gave you a 1 in reality you deserve a zero. Never in my life have I seen a school that…read moredoesn't care about their students. I was a student and I've witnessed the stuff that happens here like bullying, weapons brought to school, and students life in danger because the staff don't care enough to take the time to listen to their students and have a dialogue to support them. I really hope that this school gets shutdown fast because instead of progressing you are going downhill.

Loved it here. Nice building, kids and teachers. They really care about what they do. Best lunches,…read moretoo.

I love Friends School. The atmosphere feels loving and genuine and I think they really have things…read moreright when it comes to developing the WHOLE child. I am so glad they exist!

Very mid... This…read moreschool is very meh. The education is good but but all of the people there seem wacky. Not a huge fan of the crowd at CDH. They are very loud and cliquey. A lot of gossip and drama happens and it's a lot. But that's with any high school you go to.

We came here to help deliver meals on wheels on thanksgiving day…read more I think I would have loved being a HS student here. All stone and old unlike my mid 60's faux ranch style HS...

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin…read more A school and a staff committed to closing the achievement gap for students whom the system would normally toss a side. Lighthouse academy, an open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter school provides students with the assistance, training and resources needed to better prepare themselves for the next phase of their lives. And in the end setting the module for a better public education system for the youth in my opinion. The diversity of not just the students but the staff at this school is phenomenal. With open enrollment, students are given tests in English and Math to pool them with other students at their level of development. Utilizing an extended day of schedule, the staff get to work by understanding each youth's own set of circumstances beyond the classroom and than vigorously setting them on the path to get the best of themselves out of themselves. The next Emily Dickinson of our generation may or may not come from this school, but the commitment for learning shown by the staff and students alike is the "peculiar bent of the genius of each" that Plato once spoke of. This should be celebrated! Volunteers are always needed!

I spent a week volunteering in the Recwell Center for the Special Olympics USA basketball teams…read more The facility is spacious and accommodating. The washroom was clean and well stocked. Walking on campus daily was enjoyable. I had to be careful at crosswalks and to obey the traffic "walk" signals.

I have never taken a course at the University of Minnesota (UMN). I used to hang out in this area…read moremainly because I like Dinkytown, which is the heart of UMN student life. I like the stores and good eats in this neighbourhood. I've always felt comfortable visiting universities and checking out campuses. It's no different here. I had a friend who got his master and doctorate degrees from this university, so I got to hear about his experiences when we both lived in Minnesota. I am a hockey fan. The UMN has a decent hockey program, both men's and women's. You often see local talent make it to the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Frost rosters, respectively. Alex Goligoski, who recently retired from the NHL, played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers at UMN before he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He won the Stanley Cup with this team, but spent his last three years with the Wild as a defenseman. During his 1,000th NHL game, he scored the game-winning goal, which was quite the storybook ending. As of late, Brock Faber is a solid defenseman on the Wild. He is starting his second full season with the team and was captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He is young, but exceptionally skilled and mature beyond his years. Taylor Heise, who is a forward for the PWHL's Minnesota Frost, played for the Minnesota women's hockey team. The Frost won the Walter Cup and she won the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP award. If I were looking into academics, UMN has both computer science and mathematics departments that would have appealed to me. It is similar to York University in that you can choose to do either a Bachelor of Arts or Science in either field. Only a Master of Science is available in both. You can also study towards a PhD in either domain. UMN has a Bachelor of Science in Technical Writing and Communication. Many universities start off offering Technical Writing degrees as an Arts degree. I like the shift with universities going with a Bachelor of Science. Technical writers are needed more than ever to explain technical, complex details as clearly and concisely in engineering, medical, and more. It's makes more sense that it's a Science degree. This university does not offer graduate degrees in Technical Writing. It's one reason why I didn't do my Master's here. I don't have any inclination to get a doctorate. If UMN offered one in my chosen field, I'd consider it if the price is affordable and I could do it remotely. It was nice being back in the area. (394)