EPS Achievements
November
Newsweek ranks EHS in top 500 of America’s Best STEM High Schools
Nov. 8, 2019 - Edina High School is one of two Minnesota public high schools in the top 500 on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best STEM High Schools. The list, released on Nov. 8 – National STEM Day – names eight Minnesota schools in the top 500. Four are private schools and two are charter schools. Orono High School, ranked 356, and Edina High School, ranked 363, are the only public high schools in the state listed in Newsweek’s highest ranking.
Newsweek partnered with STEM.org, “one of the Top 100 STEM Education Resources,” to rank high schools across the country. The list includes rankings for the top 5,000 schools.
The methodology used to compare and rank schools includes:
- Number and types of STEM courses offered
- Activities offered to strengthen 21st century skills, such as: media proficiency, creativity, environmental literacy and social/cross-cultural awareness
- Original STEM content
- Celebration of diversity and topics for a wide variety of learning needs
- Opportunities for students to socialize and work with others during and after school
- Access to technology
- Hands-on problem solving and project-based learning
- Opportunities for real-world challenges and introduction to career opportunities in STEM fields
Read more about the strong STEM foundation throughout EPS.
Fifth EPS school receives Energy Star certification
Nov. 6, 2019 - Cornelia Elementary School has received Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes the building’s performance in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency, averaging 35 percent less energy used and 35 percent less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Since 2016, district schools have been earning Energy Star certification as a result of mechanical upgrades and roof projects completed under the district’s 10-year long-term facility maintenance plan. Now, half of the district’s buildings are certified and the rest are on deck to receive similar upgrades as the maintenance plan continues. Other EPS schools with Energy Star certification are Countryside, Concord, Creek Valley and Highlands elementary schools.
October
EHS grads post higher ACT scores in all subject areas
Oct. 22, 2019 - ACT test-takers in Edina High School’s Class of 2019 posted higher average scores than previous years in all subjects, according to the 2019 ACT College Readiness Report. Average scores in the English and Reading tests are the highest for EHS in the past five years. The College Readiness Report is an indicator of the future-readiness of high school graduates. ACT, in collaboration with postsecondary institutions across the country, has established Benchmark Scores which predict a 50 percent chance that a student would obtain a B or higher in corresponding college courses.
The average ACT test scores for 2019 EHS graduates increased over last year’s average in each of four subjects. (A perfect ACT score is 36.) Additionally, the percentage of students meeting the benchmark indicating college-readiness increased over last year. View the summary of the 2019 ACT College Readiness Report.
South View team receives personalized learning Trailblazer Award
Oct. 16, 2019 - A team of South View Middle School educators and administrators were honored by the Institute for Personalized Learning with the Trailblazer Award at the group’s 10th Annual National Convening Oct. 7-8. Receiving the award were: Tim Anderson, Principal; Ryan Carlson, Assistant Principal; Tami Jo Cook, Dean; Michaela Loo and Tricia Pettis, Personalized Learning Coaches; and Janel Wieland, Science Teacher. The award recognizes leadership in “forging a path for others” in personalized learning. Members of the team gave several presentations as part of Convening programing.
French government recognizes Normandale principal’s devotion to language, culture
Oct. 10, 2019 – During a school assembly in September, Holden was honored as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight of the Order of Academic Palms) by the Consul General of France in Chicago. This order expresses the French government’s recognition and gratitude to French and foreign academics and educators who have made outstanding contributions to French education or science, and to the expansion of French language and culture throughout the world. Normandale teachers submitted letters of recommendation detailing Holden’s contributions toward French culture and academics.
Quality seal from French Ministry awarded to Normandale Elementary
Oct. 10, 2019 – Edina Public Schools is pleased to announce Normandale Elementary has received LabelFrancÉducation, a quality seal granted by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education to foreign schools promoting French dual-language programs of very high quality. LabelFrancÉducation has been awarded to 285 school in 53 countries. Normandale Elementary is the only school in Minnesota to receive this award. Staff hopes the LabelFrancÉducation will give the school additional opportunities for French resources and connections. Normandale is now connected to schools throughout the world that offer similar programming to students.
EHS student selected for All-National Honors Symphony Orchestra Ensemble
Oct. 10, 2019 – Edina High School senior Dahyun Hong has been selected to participate in the All-National Honors Symphony Orchestra Ensemble. This ensemble, sponsored by the National Association for Music Education, consists of more than 100 high school orchestra players and represents the top performing high school musicians in the United States.
Hong is among three Minnesotans selected for the ensemble. Students selected for the national ensemble qualified for their state-level honor ensemble program and competed against other top performing students. The All National Honors Symphony Orchestra Ensemble will rehearse a challenging repertoire and perform under the direction of Soo Han in November in Orlando Florida.
Edina High School yearbook receives top ratings for 2019
Oct. 1, 2019 – The EHS yearbook Whigrean has earned the highest ratings in its history from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) for the 2019 edition “Perspective.” NSPA rated the Whigrean as "First Class" for the third year in a row, but for the first time, it received two marks of distinction, in both photography and writing, and the highest score it’s ever received. CSPA rated “Perspective” at the "Gold Medalist” level, having earned 921 out of a possible 1000 points. It also received, for the first time, a "Columbian All-Honors" rating for the visuals (photography and design). Editors-in-Chief last year were Lily Randall, Elsa Hetletvedt, and Grace Daly. Cecilia Little was the Staff Photography Editor, Anna Lonquist was the Staff Writing Editor, and Madison Romain was the Business Editor.
September
Three EHS students selected in Hispanic Recognition Program
Sept. 26, 2019 – Three Edina High School students have received College Board recognition in the Hispanic Recognition Program. Students are invited to apply for the academic honor by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Paul Gherghetta, Clementine Raffy, and Jacob Uribe have all taken the PSAT/NMSQT and achieved the minimum required scores. In addition to the test, all of the students have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher by the middle of their junior year. The College Board Hispanic Recognition Program is an academic honor that can be included on college applications. Colleges use this honor to help identify academically exceptional students.
Commended Students selected in National Merit Scholarship Program
Sept. 26, 2019 – Edina Public Schools is pleased to announce 20 students from Edina High School have been selected as commended students in the National Merit Scholarship Program. While these students will not continue in the 2020 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, they are among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). View the list of Commended Students.
Edina student highlighted as one of the most inspiring teens in the Twin Cities
Sept. 25, 2019 – Edina senior Avahnii Lewis was selected by the City Pages as one of the nine most inspiring teens in the Twin Cities - young people who were “enriching the world around them and will continue to.” Each of the nine students were highlighted in a personal story about their accomplishments and what makes them an inspiration. Lewis was selected for her skills in graphic design, her work with varying clients such as the Guthrie, 3M and the NCAA, and her passion for how arts education and social justice work together.
Read more: Avahnii Lewis: The Designer
EHS students named National Merit Semifinalists
Sept. 16, 2019 – Edina Public Schools is pleased to announce 19 Edina High School students have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students were among 1.5 million in about 21, 000 high schools who entered the program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. The Semifinalists will have the opportunity to advance to Finalist standing by submitting a detailed scholarship application. They will then be able to compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships, offered next spring, worth more than $31 million. Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing. View the list of students named National Merit Semifinalists.
August
Anushka Thorat to serve on Minnesota Youth Council
Aug. 23, 2019 - Minnesota Alliance With Youth is pleased to announce that Anushka Thorat of Edina has been selected to serve on the Minnesota Youth Council for her second term, representing MN Congressional District 3. Anushka Thorat, an EHS senior, served on Dean Philips’s Youth Advisory Committee this summer. Youth Council members meet with elected officials, advocate for legislation and policy platforms that support equity and young people and hold legislative committee meetings to hear legislation directly from elected officials.
