Minnehaha Academy

Minnehaha Academy (often abbreviated MA) is a Christian private school in Minneapolis, Minnesota for students in preschool through 12th grade, and established in 1913. There are two campuses, the South Campus for preschool through 8th graders, and the North Campus, for 9th through 12th graders. It is a ministry of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and is located in the Cooper and Hiawatha neighborhoods on West River Parkway. The student body is drawn from Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, as well as several international students.

The debate team took first place in the State Championship in 2013. Minnehaha is home to the 2014 Boys' State Track and Field State Champions, and the 2013 Boys' Basketball 2A State Champions. Minnehaha Singers were selected to perform at the Choral Arts Finale at Orchestra Hall in 2014. Minnehaha is one of three schools in the state chosen for the Cantus High School Choral Residence Program for the 14 -15 school year.^[1] Theater productions have earned SpotLight awards from the Hennepin Theater Trust in 2014 and 2015 for Outstanding Overall Performance and Outstanding Performance by a Student Orchestra.^[2]

History

Since 1913, Minnehaha has been located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi River. Minnehaha was a high school serving grades 9–12 until 1972, when grades 7 and 8 were added. In 1981, the South Campus was purchased from Breck School and a chapel was added.

The Middle School was established with the addition of grade 6. The Lower School, grades 1–5, started in 1982. Kindergarten was added in 1985, and then preschool in 1995. The following year, Minnehaha expanded to another campus in Bloomington for preschool through grade 5. The new Athletic Center at North Campus was dedicated in 2002, and the new Chapel and Fine Arts Center in 2003. Renovation of the South Campus (lower and middle school) was completed in 2008. In the Spring of 2011, Minnehaha Academy consolidated its Bloomington Lower School Campus with its Lower School in Minneapolis.

The Minnehaha Academy educational program, which begins at the Lower School in preschool and goes through the Upper School in 12th grade, sends many students on to both Minnesota-based colleges and universities and many out-of-state schools. At M.A., class sizes generally range from 18-24 students.

85% of Upper School faculty members hold advanced degrees, 66% among Middle School faculty and 55% among Lower School faculty.

Minnehaha Academy is a member of the Independent Metro Athletic Conference & the Minnesota State High School League at the high school level and the South Side Youth Organization at the middle school level. Minnehaha Academy withdrew from the Tri-Metro Conference, effective in the fall of 2014. Students in Middle School and Upper School can select organized athletics including 25 varsity sports. 75% of Upper School students participate and 88% of middle school students participate in athletic programs. The girls' basketball team won the 2010 Class AA State Championship. Girls' soccer won state in 1989. Academically, Minnehaha features teams that compete in regional math and science tournaments, as well as a classical debate team. One of the partnerships on the debate team won the state title in 2012.^[3]

Controversy

Minnehaha's original mascot was the Indians. This was changed to the Redhawks in the 1990s in deference to current sensibilities.

Notable alumni

• Reynold B. Johnson (Class of 1925): Inventor
• Homer D. Hagstrum (Class of 193x): Elected to National Academy of Sciences^[4]
• C. Donald Peterson (Class of 1935): Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1967–1986^[5]
• Katherine "Kay" Jorgensen (Class of 1950): Unitarian Universalist minister, Co-Founder of the Faithful Fools Street Ministry, San Francisco (1998–present)
• Philip Brunelle (Class of 1961): Classical musician and founder of music group VocalEssence
• Melody Beattie (Class of 1962): self-help author
• Rev. Mark Hanson (Class of 1964): Former Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and President of the Lutheran World Federation
• Joe Roche, (Class of 198x), Iraq War veteran and political commentator
• Amy Sannes (Class of 1995): Competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy
• Matt Kretzman (Class of 1998) : Plays keyboard for indie rock band Tapes 'n Tapes

Publications

MA's yearbook is named "The Antler," with its Middle School counterpart the "Minneantler." MA's school newspaper is "The Talon," referring to the foot of the fictional Redhawk mascot. It is a member of the High School National Ad Network. Both the Talon and the Antler have won numerous high school journalism awards. MA's quarterly news publication for parents and alumni is called "The Arrow."

References

External links

• Minnehaha Academy Website
• North Campus 44°56′45.28″N 93°12′20.20″W / 44.9459111°N 93.2056111°W / 44.9459111; -93.2056111