Edina Public Schools

District: There are approximately 7,834 students, K-12, served by 1,170 teachers and support staff in six elementary schools (Grades K-5), two middle schools (Grades 6-9) and one senior high school (Grades 10-12). Community Education Services provides learning opportunities for all ages. The district serves Edina, a residential community of approximately 47,450 people adjacent to the city of Minneapolis.

School Choices:
Elementary: Parents have three elementary (K-5) program choices:

• Neighborhood Program which serves 70% of students
• Continuous Progress in which teachers work with students more than one year in multiage groups
• French Immersion which students enter in kindergarten

Secondary: There are two middle schools (6-9) serving students based on geographical boundaries. There is one high school.

Small Class Sizes: Edina Public Schools is committed to keeping class sizes as small as possible while retaining the educational support needed to ensure quality learning opportunities. Class size guidelines are: Kindergarten 18-21, grades one through three 21-24, grades four and five 24-27, grades six through nine 25-28, grades ten through twelve 29-32.

Academic Achievements: Edina High School has had National Merit semifinalists and finalists each year the National Merit Foundation has been in existence. In 2007, there were 18 semifinalists and 27 commended scholars. In 2007-08, on the ALT test, seventy to ninety-two percent of second through seventh grade students scored above the national average in reading and math. Overall, two to three more Edina students than expected score in the top quarter of the nation. In 2007-08, nearly 2,000 Edina students took Advanced Placement examinations in 27 subject areas, making it one of the largest AP programs in the Midwest. Eighty percent of the Edina scores were in the 3-5 range, making them eligible for advanced placement and/or credit at the college level. The class of 2008 posted an average composite score of 26.2 – Edina’s highest ACT composite score in 13 years. In addition, the number of Edina graduates who report taking the ACT continues to be between 75 and 85 percent.

Graduates: Ninety-seven percent of seniors go to college. Eighty-six percent finish in five years. A recent survey conducted 10 years after graduation showed that 45% of Edina graduates completed graduate school degrees or were pursuing graduate degrees.

World Languages: Eighty percent of students take at least one year of a world language. Spanish is offered at all elementary schools beginning in grade two. French immersion continues through middle school. Eight languages are offered in middle school and high school: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish and American Sign Language.

Technology: The incorporation of high tech resources into the teaching program is a major focus of the current teaching and learning goals. Computers are located in all classrooms and each school has computer labs. In addition, most elementary classrooms have SMART Boards. The new telecommunications network provides staff and students with improved communications, access to visual learning resources and computer-based learning tools.

Special Programs:
Special Education: 11 percent of students are served each year by Special Education in the areas of learning disabilities, mental handicaps, physical impairment, hearing and vision impairments, emotional/behavior disorders, communication disorders and autism spectrum disorders.

English as a Second Language: The English as a Second Language Program is growing and serves students speaking 39 languages.

Gifted Education: Gifted Education provides a comprehensive K-12 program for gifted students, offering support in classroom activities and the additional support needed to keep high achievers and extraordinary students challenged.

Values and Service: 2008 marked the 19th anniversary of the district's Ethical Values Program which focuses on six values: Integrity, Courage, Commitment, Compassion, Appreciation of Diversity and Responsibility. The values were selected by the community and are incorporated into the learning program. All schools do service projects helping people locally and globally. High school students are expected to complete at least 10 hours of community service by graduation.

Athletics and Extracurricular Activities:
Athletes: Edina athletes have won a total of 125 state championships, making Edina Schools number one among the 500 members of the Minnesota State High School League. There are 12 sports for boys and 17 for girls offered at the high school level, with 10 sports offered in the middle schools.

Extracurricular: Edina Public Schools offers 41 non athletic, extracurricular activities in fine arts, academics and social service. Ninety percent of high school students participate in one or more extracurricular activities, winning local, state and national recognition for their work and commitment.

Creating the Future Annual District Strategies
Our Mission: The mission of the Edina Public Schools, working in partnership with the family and the community, is to educate all individuals to be responsible, lifelong learners who possess the skills, knowledge, creativity, sense of self-worth, and ethical values necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing, culturally diverse, global society.

Creating the Future, has four areas of focus:

• We will work in partnership with the community to increase student assets.
• We will work in partnership with the community to welcome and support diversity.
• We will develop and implement programs and practices that will address gender differences in student performance and other measures of success.
• We will maximize the achievement of all students by developing a clearly articulated curriculum and appropriate research based instructional strategies implemented by highly qualified staff.