- Minnetonka High School
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For other uses, see Minnetonka (disambiguation).
Minnetonka High School 
Location Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA Information Type Public Established 1952 Principal David Adney Enrollment 2,823 Mascot Skippers (Sailor) Average SAT scores 1901 [1] Colors Royal Blue and White Website www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/mhs Minnetonka High School is a public comprehensive high school that is located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a western suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. With almost 3,000 students, it is the 3rd largest high school in Minnesota behind neighboring Wayzata and Eden Prarie high schools. Newsweek ranked the school #285 in their "List of the 1200 Best High Schools in America."[2] Minnetonka High School pulls students from western Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Victoria, Woodland, and northern Eden Prairie, but students come in from all over the western suburbs due to open enrollment.
Contents
History
In 1952, both Excelsior and Deephaven High Schools were consolidated into the newly constructed Minnetonka High School. In 1997 Minnetonka High School underwent a significant renovation to better meet student's needs for learning in the 21st century. More classrooms, new science and technology wings, an enlarged and enhanced media center and new athletic facilities were added. The ArtsCenter, a cultural/performing arts center at the high school was added in 2000 as a partnership project with the City of Minnetonka. A year later, a partnership with the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association built the Pagel Center, a sports, strength training, and hockey facility on the high school site. In 2004, partnerships with many youth athletic associations resulted in a new artificial turf stadium field, inflatable dome (November - April) and a new track. During the summer break of 2006 Minnetonka High School got a new baseball facility, the first turf baseball facility at a Minnesota high school. In 2006 the largest freshman class in the history of Minnetonka entered the school, the graduating class of 2010 being over 750.
School Overview
Minnetonka High School is one of the largest schools in the state with a student population of 2,823 that is 1% American Indian, 1% Hispanic, 1% black, 3% Asian, and 94% white. Minnetonka School District has a population of 53,000 and is characterized as a wealthy bedroom community. It is predominantly white with a strong Scandinavian influence, and is considered one of the most affluent areas in the state. [3] Since the 2000's, Minnetonka has actively tried to recruit a more diverse student body through advertising and shuttle services to the inner suburbs.
Academic Assessment
Minnetonka High has some of the highest test scores in the state and is one of the top academic high schools in the country. It is one of the few schools to concurrently run Advanced Placement classes and the IB Diploma Programme. An average of 88% of students pass the IB exams (score of 4 or higher), along with an 83% pass rate for AP exams (score of 3 or higher). Minnetonka averages a score of 1901 on the SAT, and 25.8 on the ACT. The top 100 students score an average of 32.2 on the ACT. [4]
It is identified as a "National School of Excellence" by the U.S. Department of Education, and has been given a "Five Star" rating by the Minnesota Department of Education. According to No Child Left Behind Minnetonka High School has made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2006.
Athletics
Minnetonka High School is part of the Lake Conference in the Minnesota State High School League.
State Championships Season Sport Number of Championships Year Fall Tennis, Girls 2 1974, 1975 Soccer, Girls 1 2001 Cross Country Running, Girls 4 1981, 1982, 1991, 2004 Volleyball, Girls 1 1976 Football 1 2004 Swimming and Diving, Girls 2 1975, 1976 Winter Alpine Skiing, Boys 3 1996, 1998, 2000 Alpine Skiing, Girls 3 1987, 1993, 2011 Wrestling 1 1974 Hockey, Girls 1 2011 Swimming and Diving, Boys 9 1978, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2011 Basketball, Boys 3 1965, 1998, 2008 Spring Tennis, Boys 1 1974 Softball, Girls 2 1999, 2000 Lacrosse, Boys 1 2009 Track and Field, Boys 1 1976 Track and Field, Girls 5 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1992 Rugby union, Boys 2 2004 , 2005 Adapted Bowling 3 2006, 2007, 2008 Total 46 Notable alumni
- Zach Peterson ('03) - Minor League Baseball Player Kansas City Royals (2007–Present)
- Ryan Liestman ('01) - Keyboardist for popular teen band Jonas Brothers
- Jake Gardiner ('08) - Professional Hockey Player, Anaheim Ducks (17th Overall)
- Dmitry Chaplin ('00)- Professional dancer
- Steve Comer ('72)- Professional Baseball Player, Texas Rangers (1978–82), Philadelphia Phillies (83), Cleveland Indians (84)
- Bennie Joppru ('99)- Professional Football Player, Houston Texans (2003–05), Chicago Bears (06), Seattle Seahawks (06-07)
- The Suburbs- Rock band
- Arick Wierson ('90) - Emmy-award winning Hollywood Film and Television Producer; former Senior Political Advisor New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
- Sam Buckman ('06)- Former Michigan football player and high school All-American
- David Wheaton Former professional tennis player
- Will Leer ('03) Multiple All-American elite college runner at Pomona Pitzer who recently ran a 3:41.98 1500 on May 12. On January 19, 2008, Will ran a 3:59.83 mile, on an indoor track[5]
- Lee Blessing ('67) Pulitzer and Tony nominated Playwright.
- Alex Kubal ('05) - Former Alabama center fielder who recently signed with the St. Paul Saints [6]
- Raina Hein ('06)-Runner-Up on America's Next Top Model Cycle 14
Coordinates: 44°54′33″N 93°30′41″W / 44.9090907°N 93.5112960°W[7]
References
- ^ http://www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/newsroom/Publications/MHSProfile.pdf
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/administration/Budget/Documents/District_Audit.pdf
- ^ http://www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/administration/Budget/Documents/District_Audit.pdf
- ^ http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/c-track/stats/2007-2008/finalindoorpreview.html
- ^ http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/062509aaa.html
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Minnetonka High School
External links
Categories:- High schools in Minnesota
- Educational institutions established in 1952
- Minnetonka, Minnesota
- International Baccalaureate schools in Minnesota
- Schools in Hennepin County, Minnesota
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