Minnetonka High School

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Minnetonka High School

Overview
- Minnetonka High School is a four-year public high school in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a western suburb of the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. It is the only high school in the Minnetonka School District.
- The district’s area includes western Minnetonka and nearby communities, sometimes referred to as “South Lake Minnetonka.”
- The school colors are blue and white, and the mascot is the Skipper.
- It is part of the Lake Conference within the Minnesota State High School League.

Size and community
- Enrollment is about 3,482 students (2023–2024).
- The school has a student-teacher ratio around 18:1.
- The Minnetonka School District serves a large, predominantly white, affluent community with a significant Scandinavian influence.

Rankings
- Newsweek ranked Minnetonka High School 123rd among America’s Top High Schools.
- Niche ranked it high among Minnesota public high schools.

Demographics
- Student population is about 0.2% Native American, 6% Hispanic, 4.2% Black, 6.2% Asian, and 77.6% White.

Specialty programs and academics
- Vantage program (started in 2012): Aimed at advanced professional studies. Students work on real-world projects in fields like business analytics, design and marketing, global business, health sciences, international relations, multimedia communications, public policy, user experience design, and education. The program offers one-on-one mentoring and partnerships with local businesses.
- Momentum program (started in 2020–21): Focuses on design and skilled trades, including aviation, automotive, construction, and design. Students complete hands-on projects and participate in field experiences, such as visits to businesses; aviation students can fly with instructors and use flight simulators. A new building for Vantage and Momentum was approved in 2022.
- Minnetonka Research (began 2016): An advanced science program where students conduct independent research with mentors from industry and universities. The school hosts an annual Research Symposium (began in 2017) where students present their work.
- Writing Center: Provides one-on-one writing help during the school day, staffed by student coaches and teachers. It hosts events to showcase writing in different careers, and alumni often return to assist with IB-related work.
- Tonka Online: Online courses taught by Minnetonka teachers, offering flexible ways to complete coursework.

Athletics
- Minnetonka is in the Lake Conference of the Minnesota State High School League.
- The school’s mascot is the Skipper.
- The district has a long history of state championships across many sports, including tennis, cross country, swimming, skiing, basketball, hockey, and cheerleading, among others. The program is known for success in fall, winter, and spring sports.

Notable alumni
- Beau Allen (NFL player)
- Eric Bischoff (entrepreneur, TV producer)
- Jake Gardiner (professional hockey player)
- Haley Kalil (Sports Illustrated model)
- K’Andre Miller (professional hockey player)
- Jan Malcolm (Minnesota Health Commissioner)
- Ryan McCartan (actor and singer)
- John Mark Nelson (songwriter and producer)
- Thomas O. Staggs (former Disney executive)
- Nancy Parsons (actress)
- David Wheaton (professional tennis player)

Feeder schools
- Elementary: Clear Springs, Deephaven, Excelsior, Groveland, Minnewashta, Scenic Heights Elementary Schools
- Middle: Minnetonka Middle School East and Minnetonka Middle School West
- These schools feed into Minnetonka High School as part of the district’s enrollment area

Note
- The school has a long list of achievements and programs designed to prepare students for college, careers, and real-world problem solving, reflecting its focus on academics, career readiness, and athletics.