Mission

The mission of middle level education in the Edina Public Schools is to encourage the growth of knowledge, self-esteem, life skills, citizenship, and global awareness in all students through a caring, safe, flexible, exploratory, and student-centered learning environment. The curriculum provides a balanced program while offering students opportunities to explore individual interests.

Registration

All children new to Edina Public Schools must register at the Welcome Center located at room 171 in the Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road. On the attendance area map, students residing in the Concord, Cornelia, and part of Highlands neighborhoods attend South View Middle School, while students from the Countryside, CreekValley, and part of Highlands neighborhoods attend Valley View Middle School.

Instructional Program

The two Edina middle schools, South View Middle School and ValleyView Middle School are committed to a learning program that promotes success for all students. Valley View Middle School also houses the Extended French program, a partial French immersion continuation program to the Normandale French immersion experience.

The middle school curriculum is designed to:

1. provide both comprehensive as well as in-depth learning experiences consistent with both the Edina and the Minnesota State Standards.
2. meet the needs and interests of students.

Comprehensive skills and enriched sections are available in language arts, mathematics, science, and world languages. Middle school students also have additional extra-curricular opportunities in athletics (nine sports each for girls and boys), clubs, performing arts, publications, and Student Leadership Council.

Requirements

CHECK ACCURACY OF REQUIREMENTS IN OLD MS OVERVIEW

Required subjects are those the student must complete to meet admission requirements for the next grade and meet state and district standards. Elective subjects are a matter of student choice but also contribute to the total requirements necessary for promotion. Every student is required to be in an approved course of study each period of the school day. Grade 9 courses count as high school graduation requirements.

Student Schedule

In Grade 6, students follow an 8-period day where each class meets for 42 minutes. In Grades 7-9, the curriculum is delivered in an every-other-day block schedule, with students attending each class for an 89-minute period.

Progress Reports

Families can follow their student's progress through Edline, an online password-protected site to access:

• student-specific reports, such as missing homework assignments, grades and attendance.
• class–specific content, such as homework assignments, test dates, calendar of events, and resources.
• general school information, such as news, daily announcements, and upcoming school events.

Staff

Edina's middle school teachers are professional and caring individuals eager to help their students learn. They are highly qualified and well educated. Sixty percent of the middle school teaching staff has earned degrees at or above the master's level. Edina's middle level teachers provide leadership in national, state, and local professional organizations.

Volunteers

Edina parents and community members are active in the schools. Parents serve with staff on site councils governing each school. They volunteer in after-school activities, art and music masterpiece programs, newsletters and publications, clerical work, field trips, library work, new family hospitality, classroom support and curriculum presentations. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your school.

Parent Organizations

The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) are parent sponsored and funded organizations providing information to parents, supporting the needs of the teachers, and enhancing the student education. More information is available on the district's PTA/PTO web page and through each middle school's website.

Educational Services

The following services are available to middle school students: Gifted Education Services, Health Services, Psychologists, Social Workers, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Special Education Services (including Psychologists, Social Workers, Adaptive P.E., Assistive Technology, Autism, Speech/Language, Occupational Therapy and Deaf/Hard of Hearing).

Extended Day Program

Surge is an after-school program offered through Community Education. For more information, contact Carrie Proctor at 952-848-4814.

Visits and Tours

Families interested in Edina Public Schools are encouraged to tour the schools. Please call the school offices in advance to make arrangements to visit.