Eagle Ridge Academy

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Coordinates: 44°54′02″N 93°25′08″W / 44.9005°N 93.4188°W / 44.9005; -93.4188
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Eagle Ridge Academy
Location
Map
11111 Bren Road W.
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343

United States
Coordinates44°54′02″N 93°25′08″W / 44.9005°N 93.4188°W / 44.9005; -93.4188
Information
TypeCharter school
Established2004[6]
AuthorityFriends of Education[1]
Faculty100[2]
GradesK to 12[3]
Enrollment1,400[5] (2010-2011)
Color(s)Burgundy and Gray[4]   
MascotGryphons[4]
Websitewww.eagleridgeacademy.org

Eagle Ridge Academy is a charter school with a philosophical emphasis on the classical education movement that serves grades Kindergarten through twelve. It is located in the southern part of Minnetonka, MN (close to Eden Prairie, Minnesota) having moved from another location in 2016.[7] The Kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum follows the Core Knowledge Sequence published by the Core Knowledge Foundation and the high school follows a "Classical framework" to structure its humane letters program.[8]

History[edit]

Eagle Ridge Academy opened in 2004 with 107 students in grades 6, 7, and 9. Today, Eagle Ridge Academy serves 1,240 students from 29 school districts in kindergarten through grade 12. The Eagle Ridge Academy Schools of Grammar and Logic have rigorous curricula to ensure high achievement: Core Knowledge Sequence, Saxon Math, Shurley English, Pearson History and Geography, Saxon Phonics, and leveled guided reading. The School of Rhetoric offers a wide variety of classes in Music, Arts, World Languages, Advanced Placement, College in the Schools, and the Humanities.

The Academy has had five school directors, Dr. Ken Greener (2004), Mrs. Judi Ingison (2004-2008), Mr. John Howitz (2008-2011), Ms. Mari Bergerson (2011), and Mr. Jason Ulbrich (2011–present).[9][10][11][12][13]

On January 12, 2005 the Minnesota Department of Education issued its annual report to the Minnesota Legislature that found Eagle Ridge Academy to be in statutory operating debt.[14] The Academy received the School Finance Award from the Minnesota Department of Education for fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.[15]

Eagle Ridge Academy had its first high school graduation in June 2008.[16] On July 22, 2008, the Minnesota Department of Education released the results of a transportation audit of the 2006-2007 fiscal year.[17]

MCA-II test scores declined in 2008-2009 and again in 2009-2010.[18] The Academy received the Achievement Award for performance during the 2007-2008 school year from its sponsor, Friends of Education, on August 6, 2009.[19]

U.S. News & World Report ranked Eagle Ridge Academy as a "bronze medal" high school based on academic performance in 2007-2008 in the magazine's 2010 "America's Best High Schools" issue.[20][21]

In July 2016, the school moved to a new building that they completely renovated to house grades K-12.[22] The new building includes a gymnasium, a solarium in the cafeteria, and a human chess board embedded in the floor tiles of the forum. Updates will continue through 2017 to build the second story and auditorium.

The graduating class of 2016 had 47 students.[23] U.S News has given Eagle Ridge Academy a college readiness score of 56.15/100 by US News.[24]

A fire which erupted in the school set off sprinklers on Friday October 27, 2017. This fire shut down school for the day, and caused cosmetic damage throughout the building.[25] The fire originated from the kiln room.[26]

Past graduates have attended colleges including Hope College, Iowa State University, Princeton University, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, Yale University, and others.[2]

Controversy[edit]

A number of controversies (under previous Executive Directors) occurred at Eagle Ridge in the late 2000s.

On October 11, 2007, Eagle Ridge Academy was evacuated due to a mercury spill.[27] At least four people were exposed to the toxic chemicals, but no injuries were reported.[28]

On February 5, 2008, former teacher, Josh Garvin, filed a lawsuit with the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, Fourth Division, against Eagle Ridge Academy. The suit claimed school officials violated federal law by opening Garvin's private e-mail account and reading messages he had written to the chemistry teacher in which they discussed ways to report potential improprieties to the school's board of directors.[29] On January 6, 2009, former teacher, Susan Reid, also filed a lawsuit in the same court against Eagle Ridge Academy.[30][28]

In November 2008, KSTP-TV, 5 Eyewitness News, aired a report regarding unlicensed teachers in state charter schools. Eagle Ridge Academy was not named in the television report but was cited in KSTP's 2008 online reporting.[31]

Extracurriculars[edit]

Eagle Ridge Academy offers middle school and Minnesota State High School League sports – baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball. Eagle Ridge Academy also offers other extra-curricular activities (i.e., chess, mock trial, drama).[2]

The Academy has a student senate, mock trial team, The Citizen school paper, robotics, and chapters of the National Junior Classical League and National Honor Society.[32]

Mock Trial[edit]

The Academy founded its mock trial program in the 2018-19 school year, under the guidance of an alumna and a Humanities teacher.

Eagle Ridge Academy's mock trial team took third place at the Minnesota High School Mock Trial State Tournament in 2020.

In only its second year (2020) with a mock trial program, Eagle Ridge advanced to the Minnesota High School Mock Trial State Tournament and took third place.[citation needed] In the program’s third year, 2021, with virtual competitions, Eagle Ridge beat Apple Valley High School and won the Minnesota State Championship,[33] advancing to the National High School Mock Trial Competition in May 2021.

Theatre[edit]

The Academy has also competed in the Minnesota State High School League One-Act Play Competition since 2020. In 2021, Eagle Ridge won its subsection with Carry On , an original play written by student Ro Feitl and directed by theatre director Gabriel Berg.

School Newspaper[edit]

The Academy's official student-run publication, The Citizen, was founded by then-freshmen Erik Teder and Muthu Meenakshisundaram. It was originally an all-print publication, moving online in response to COVID-19.

School Board[edit]

The Eagle Ridge Academy School Board has eleven seats. The Executive Director, currently Jason Ulbrich, is a non-voting ex-officio member. Five are for parents or community members (of which, at least one must be a parent and one must be a community member) and six are reserved for teachers. Each person is elected to a two-year term, but elections are held every year so the Board is a continuous body.[34]

2020-2021 Board Members[35][edit]

The 2020-21 Board of Directors were parents Ramesh Babu, Angela Berger, Rahul Deep, Penny Teder, teachers Anne Bartow, April Grabanski, Jeff Magnuson, Claire Murray, and Jane Wegener, community member and current chair John Schwirtz, and ex-officio member Jason Ulbrich.

2016 Election Results[36][edit]

The 2017 school board election was one of the first elections in which a student ran. Hayden Bunn, a junior at the time, ran but did not succeed. The Eden Prairie newspaper wrote an article about his candidacy.[37] In the Parent or Community Member Election, the top two candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for two candidates.

Name Parent or Community Member Total Votes Vote Percent
Kathy Oberstar Parent 90 90.9%
Tony Dennison Parent 66 66.7%

Teacher Election. Top three candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for three candidates.

Name Teacher Total Votes Vote Percent
April Grabanski Teacher 82 79.6%
Jane Wegener Teacher 82 79.6%
Wade Sutton Teacher 63 61.2%
Rochelle Schelling Teacher 45 43.7%

2015 Election Results[38][edit]

Parent or Community Member Election. Top two candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for two candidates.

Name Parent or Community Member Total Votes Vote Percent
Ann Watanabe Parent 100 59.9000%
John Schwirtz Community Member 82 49.1%
John Alexander Parent 59 35.3%
Joyce Yaari Community Member 29 17.4%

Teacher Election. Top two candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for two candidates.

Name Teacher Total Votes Vote Percent
Ashley Hudak Teacher 114 69.1%
Zac Holm Teacher 102 61.8%
Michelle Mills Teacher 89 53.9%

2014 Election Results[39][edit]

Parent or Community Member Election. Top four candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for four candidates.

Name Parent or Community Member Total Votes Vote Percent
Dr. Kenneth Greener Community member 122 62.9%
Kathy Oberstar Parent 120 61.9%
Manisha Datya Parent 119 61.3%
Pete Larson Parent 107 55.2%
William Wood Parent 82 42.3%
Katie Tram Parent 61 31.4%
Nicholas Henry Community Member 51 26.3%
Amanda Hippe Community Member 28 14.4%

Teacher election. Top three candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for three candidates.

Name Teacher Total Votes Vote Percent
Erica Higgins Teacher 168 92.8%
Tiffany Goedjen Teacher 152 84.0%
Michelle Mills Teacher 147 81.2%

References[edit]

  1. ^ "List of". Archived from the original on July 17, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-14. Retrieved 2016-12-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "MN Charter School Directory" Archived 2009-07-24 at the Wayback Machine, MN Association of Charter Schools, Retrieved on June 20, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "International School of Minnesota/Eagle Ridge Academy Huskies". MaxPreps. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  5. ^ "ERA Fast Facts - Eagle Ridge Academy". www.eagleridgeacademy.org. 15 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Story" Archived 2011-10-03 at the Wayback Machine, Eagle Ridge Academy, Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  7. ^ "Directions | Eagle Ridge Academy". www.eagleridgeacademy.org. Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  8. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Curriculum" Archived 2009-06-30 at the Wayback Machine, Eagle Ridge Academy, Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  9. ^ "Staff | Eagle Ridge Academy". www.eagleridgeacademy.org. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  10. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Board Minutes, October 5, 2004"[permanent dead link], Eagle Ridge Academy, October 5, 2004. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
  11. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Board Minutes, December 7, 2004"[permanent dead link], Eagle Ridge Academy, December 7, 2004. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
  12. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Board Minutes, June 7, 2011" Archived April 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Eagle Ridge Academy, June 7, 2011. Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  13. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Newsletter" Archived 2012-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, Eagle Ridge Academy, September 1, 2011. Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  14. ^ "Districts With Fiscal Year 2004 Statutory Operating Debt" Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, Minnesota Department of Education, January 12, 2005. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
  15. ^ "School Finance Awards FY 2003 - FY 2011"[permanent dead link], Minnesota Department of Education, Retrieved on September 6, 2011.
  16. ^ [1] Archived 2010-01-20 at the Wayback Machine "2009-2010 HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE"], Eagle Ridge Academy. Retrieved on February 1, 2010.
  17. ^ "Transportation Audit" Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, Minnesota Department of Education. Retrieved on July 10, 2009.
  18. ^ "No Child Left Behind 2010 School Test Results" Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, Star-Tribune. Retrieved on July 1, 2010.
  19. ^ "Friends of Education press release"[permanent dead link], Eagle Ridge Academy, August 6, 2009. Retrieved on December 15, 2009.
  20. ^ [2] "Best High Schools in Hennepin County", U.S. News & World Report, December 9, 2009. Retrieved on February 1, 2010.
  21. ^ "Methodology: America's Best High Schools", U.S. News & World Report, December 9, 2009. Retrieved on February 1, 2010.
  22. ^ "Office Closed for Move | Eagle Ridge Academy". www.eagleridgeacademy.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-11. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  23. ^ [3][permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy".
  25. ^ "Eagle Ridge Classes Canceled After Sprinklers Go Off". October 27, 2017.
  26. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy in Minnetonka was forced to close Friday as a result of smoke and water damage in the building. According to school officials, alarms and sprinklers were set off around 1 a.m. Friday in the kiln room". News from Minnesota, U.S on live map - minnesota.liveuamap.com.
  27. ^ Relerford, Patrice. "Two teaspoons of spilled mercury empty Eden Prairie school" Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, Star Tribune, October 11, 2007. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
  28. ^ a b "Eden Prairie / Lawsuit claims principal lied about mercury storage". February 6, 2008.
  29. ^ "Justia.com Federal District Court Filings and Dockets", Justia.com. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
  30. ^ "Justia.com Federal District Court Filings and Dockets" Justia.com. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
  31. ^ "Charter School Investigation" Archived 2008-12-09 at the Wayback Machine, KSTP-TV, November 2008. Retrieved on January 12, 2009
  32. ^ "Eagle Ridge Academy Activities" Archived 2010-01-19 at the Wayback Machine, Eagle Ridge Academy, Retrieved on February 1, 2010.
  33. ^ "High School Mock Trial". www.mnbar.org. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  34. ^ "School Board Listening Session - Eagle Ridge Academy". www.eagleridgeacademy.org.
  35. ^ "Board of Directors Roster as of July 16, 2020" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-20.
  36. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-26. Retrieved 2016-12-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. ^ Dexter, Patty. "Eden Prairie's Hayden Bunn wants to be a student voice on Eagle Ridge Academy School Board". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  38. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-26. Retrieved 2016-12-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-26. Retrieved 2016-12-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[edit]

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