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 Minnetonka, Minnesota. 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.
History
Eagle Ridge Academy "Our Story" - Eagle Ridge Academy: "Our Story"
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.
Eagle Ridge Academy opened in 2004. 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 (current).
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. The Academy received the School Finance Award from the Minnesota Department of Education for fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
On October 11, 2007, Eagle Ridge Academy was evacuated due to a mercury spill.
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. On January 6, 2009, former teacher, Susan Reid, also filed a lawsuit in the same court against Eagle Ridge Academy.
Eagle Ridge Academy had its first high school graduation in June 2008.
On July 22, 2008, the Minnesota Department of Education released the results of a transportation audit of the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
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 online reporting.
MCA-II test scores declined in 2008-2009 and again in 2009-2010.
The Academy received the Achievement Award for performance during the 2007-2008 school year from its sponsor, Friends of Education, on August 6, 2009.
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.
In July 2016, the school moved to a new building that they completely renovated to house grades K-12. 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.
U.S News has given Eagle Ridge Academy a college readiness score of 48.7/100.
A fire which erupted in the school set off sprinklers on Friday October 27th, 2017. This fire shut down school for the day, and caused cosmetic damage throughout the building. The fire originated from the kiln room.
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.
Extracurricular
Eagle Ridge Academy offers middle school and Minnesota State High School League Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball.
The Academy has a student senate, yearbook and history club, and chapters of the National Junior Classical League and National Honor Society.
School Board
The Eagle Ridge Academy School Board has eleven seats. The Executive Director, currently Jason Ulbich, 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.
2016 Election Results
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 running.Parent or Community Member Election. Top two candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for two candidates.
Teacher Election. Top three candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for three candidates.
2015 Election Results
Parent or Community Member Election. Top two candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for two candidates.
Teacher Election. Top two candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for two candidates.
2014 Election Results
Parent or Community Member Election. Top four candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for four candidates.
Teacher election. Top three candidates are elected to serve on the Board. Each voter gets to vote for three candidates.
References
External links
- Eagle Ridge Academy website
