My kids don't go to school here, but my kids do swim here a lot because they belongs to the…read moreBarracuda's Swim Club. Here are what I love here: * I went to school here when I was a little boy. I swear to you, they haven't change a thing in the boy's locker room - it has the same orange/yellow lockers. It still smell the same like it was in the 80s...Yes, that is disturbing. * The facility is very clean. * The pool is warm and bright. I wish they have more swim meets here for the Barracuda, but they don't. They favor Olsen Middle School because it has more lanes. * My kids said the showers have hot water here...Hence they make me wait for them while they take their long showers after practice...Yes, I should dis-own them for this, but...I save a few pennies while they use the school's water vs mine. Never recall my boy like taking 20-30 minutes showers... I can't comment anything else in the facility except I went there back in the 80s...I think I turn out pretty well...Don't answer that.

The worst nightmare ever!!! Too many assignments!!! The teachers are really nice though except for…read moreone-- the French one. Gym class is nice though.

Students Great…read moreschool! Students pictured in this picture have said great things about

they are unfair and they pick and choose the students that they like. A lot of teachers show a lot…read moreof favoritism between students.

This school is amazing! My kid is going here next year but we have friends that say their kids…read morecurrently love it there. The staff is great. The kids learn a lot! They are currently in a huge construction/renovation and the new rooms are bright and shiny, new lockers, etc.

This is my kids' school district middle school. Although I grew up on the East side of Bloomington…read moreand went to Kennedy(pretty much hate this place), I don't have issues my kids go to school here. Here are my bullets on this school: * My son is generally happy from going here. He haven't threatened to leave my house and join the circus yet. Okay, he is only 12 and probably only have $300 to his name and is not exactly ready to be 'Independent' yet. (Yes, he has more money than me.) * There are plenty of after school activities here during the school year to keep my kids busy. Yes, I am too cheap to figure out to get a nanny to take care my children after school. * My son swim for the Barricuda Swim Club(this is pretty much where all my money spent on my son) which usually use Olsen pool facility occasionally, especially for their swim meets. As a meet coordinator for my son's swim club, I am extremely impress the janitor team response time on keeping the place extremely clean and assisting what we need during the meet. What I think they can improve upon: * Their boy's locker room is pretty dark and hot water is very limited. Hence my kids don't shower here after meets or practices - hence they waste my water at home instead. To be honest, I would be terrified to change my clothes here let alone shower in cold water in the semi-dark... I should probably call that paranormal show on TLC to film this place...Did I say I went to Kennedy and suppose to hate this place?

My kids went to school here until 6th grade. Amazing teachers, rigorous academics, excellent…read moreencouragement and awards with VIP recognition. Great programs like having a "secret reader" come read to the kids (usually their parent of grandparent) very community driven and taught my kids to study! Highly recommend for anyone searching for a great school for their kid

Fantastic school. Quality education and teachers that care about the students and their progress.read more

Nice teachers, nice kids, nice principal. Besides the school goop they call "lunch" (aka why I…read morebring my own) this school has made an excellent comeback! I hope it doesn't change when the entire green central kids move over here.

Minnehaha Academy is a traditional college preparatory school that offers pre-K to grade 12…read moreeducation. MA has two beautiful campuses on the bluffs of the Mississippi River with spacious grounds, with about 12 acres each. MA, like many east coast prep schools, was founded by Protestants from Europe. Opening in 1913, the school is affiliated with the Covenant Church (a historic branch the Lutheran Church that is now a separate denomination). MA has a strong commitment to faith with weekly chapel services and taking a traditional approach to teaching religion by having specific religious classes and bringing the topic of religion into other classes as well. This is done with other subjects as well, since many of the humanities and sciences overlap--for example you could have a discussion in history class about science or literature; in this way the student is able to understand the whole story from multiple angles and gain a deeper understanding of the world. The schools commitment to academics is extraordinary, boasting one of the best AP programs in the state, and if the class doesn't have an AP test then the school offers alternatives such as the College in the Schools program where students take a class from the University of Minnesota from one of their teachers and earn college credit. The school has also partnered with various scientific institutions to send a project to the International Space Station each year, joining only two other high schools in the nation that have this honor. The language department is also very excellent offering French, Latin, Spanish and Chinese; all of which start out at high school levels (open to middle school students) and go through college levels. The teachers are highly educated and care very deeply about the students and for many, remain mentors throughout their time at the Academy and their future. Most of the teachers hold masters or doctorate degrees in their area of study. The community of students is kind and caring for each other, and many long lasting friendships are formed. The school also has excellent food and offers breakfast and lunch. MA has a head and sous chef who create healthy and delicious meals and snacks for the students. Breakfast generally has cereal, scones, sandwiches, eggs, pancakes, bacon, et cetera. Lunch offers a salad bar, made to order options, homemade soups and various options including fresh carved pork, turkey, pastas and chicken. The chefs are friendly and take student suggestions seriously and work hard to make the best food possible. The school is also very devoted to the arts and has a entire fine arts center that includes a woodshop, dark room, art room, pottery studio, band room, orchestra room, private practice rooms, art gallery, scene shop, costume shop, concert hall/theater. The school features several performance ensembles including a Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Men's Choir, Women's Chorale, Concert Choir and Madrigal singers. Each ensemble has earned top marks at state. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir go on tour, alternating year to year. The tour locations have included: Prague, Slovakia, Salzburg, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Washington D.C., Chicago among other locations. In the year the ensembles are on break from the tour, they put on variety shows: the bands perform the pops concert and the choirs perform a medieval dinner. The school puts on three plays: musical, play and student run show; each has one various state and sometimes national awards. The school also has top notch athletic facilities including separate soccer and football fields, a full size ice arena, two full size gyms, wrestling room and a weight room. MA's athletic teams have won a combined 4 state championships in the past decade alone and provide very supportive C, JV, and Varsity teams. The school also has many organizations and academic teams. The Debate team, which I captained during my time is one of the state's best, being the only school to have a pair of debaters go to the varsity finals back to back (my partner and I), bringing home a state championship and a 2nd place trophy. The school also offers clubs centering around the environment, music, literature, journalism and writing. The school newspaper and yearbook have won various national awards for journalism, photography, layout, overall achievement, etc. MA really helps students achieve and builds a strong foundation for college through curriculum, advanced academics, supportive staff, and graduation requirements that are similar to most colleges. Many of the students attend private 4 year institutions including St. Olaf, Carlton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Boston College, Vanderbilt, University of Chicago, Northwestern and more. Minnehaha Academy has nurtured the minds of some of Minnesota's best students. MA goes farther than the other prep schools in Minnesota: it truly is the place where youth meet truth.

From the owner: The original incorporation from 1905 stated: "The purpose of this institution shall be to furnish…read moreyoung men and women with the essential elements of a liberal education, and to foster the development of character under the personal influence of Christian teachers." On Monday, Sept. 15, 1913, Minnehaha Academy welcomed its first class of high school students. Grades 7 and 8 were added in 1972. In 1981, the land for the South Campus was purchased and a chapel was erected. By 1982, the Lower School served students in Grades 1 through 5. Kindergarten was added in 1985 and preschool in 1995. Students graduate from Minnehaha Academy prepared to excel in any number of fields. Some of our alumni include inventors, a Supreme Court Justice, Authors, War Veterans, an Olympian, Musicians, and many others in notable careers.

Outstanding education. Benilde prepares students well for College/University. We've prioritized…read moretuition payments over other things in order to have the opportunity for a Catholic education

As far as academics, the subject matters seem right on track with other schools and maybe even a…read morebit more homework which we are fine with. However, there seems to be an excessive amount of subs. Currently out of 8 daily classes, one of my kids has 3 subs. 37% of her classes are taught by teachers who don't know the kids, are not respected by the kids, and cannot coax the best out of the kids. One earlier sub actually hit a child which was brought to the admin by students. Teachers often cross teach and sometimes not to much success. I am a better math teacher than one of my kids current teachers. However, in the high school there are some stellar teachers. All of the teachers could use lessons in human behavior. The goal is always to how do I teach to many different kids on many different levels, not just how do I get through the day? There are lots of sports and clubs to choose from but like all schools if your child wants to participate they can, if they want to get lost in the fray, they can get lost in the fray. The biggest issue we have had is unresponsiveness from the administration. I have several children at BSM and, like life, there have been issues. I always try to address them to the Jr. High principal but have ended up contacting parents directly because sadly, nothing gets done and you do not get the courtesy of a follow up call. Bad situations continue to be bad, get worse and then months later there you are calling parents directly anyway whereas if it was taken care of immediately perhaps the poor behavior could have been corrected immediately. All schools have their issues but I do not know if I would choose this school again. They are very supportive of the kids that will be successful wherever they go and because it's easy to support those kids. The kids that could use more support, encouragement, direction, mentoring, etc. are on their own. The combination of a parent/school support system can elevate kids who are short on confidence and if I could choose again I would interview all administration with a more objective eye and choose better.