The Minnetonka Public School District is among the highest performing school districts in Minnesota and the nation. Our district proudly serves families in all or part of 10 communities: Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Victoria and Woodland.

Outside of our district? No problem! Students from 45 other Minnesota school districts attend Minnetonka schools through the state's Open Enrollment program.

The beautiful Lake Minnetonka region, about 15 miles west of Minneapolis, was first settled by the Dakota and Ojibwe Indians. The area opened for settlement in 1851 and by 1854 nearly all of the lakeshore was claimed. That year, a 20ˈ x 24ˈ log schoolhouse welcomed its first 10 students, an early sign of community stability in the “Big Woods.” Minnetonka’s Groveland Elementary is now the oldest active elementary school in Minnesota. The Minnetonka Public School District was organized in 1949, merging six smaller districts, and opened Minnetonka High School in 1952.

The district now serves more than 10,900 students and 10 communities—Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Victoria and Woodland—with a preschool, six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Minnetonka is the state’s most sought-after school district for open enrollment, with more than 3,600 nonresident students.

Our communities have a relaxed and personalized atmosphere. Families who chose to live in our community place a high value on family, education, faith and community. Parents are very involved in their children's lives, making getting to know other families easy.

Quality of life and commitment to families and youth

• High-quality schools attract families to the area
• Small, definable neighborhoods, public celebrations, shared activities, the arts and community involvement increase residents’ sense of belonging
• People stay in the area, providing consistency and familiarity that help children thrive
• Recreation abounds with boating, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing and more. Families make the most of neighborhood parks, swimming beaches and regional trails that stretch for miles.
• Convenient shopping areas, major league sporting events and cultural opportunities in the Twin Cities metro area are a short drive away.

Lake Minnetonka Community

• Lake Minnetonka magazine
• Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce
• Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
• Three Rivers Park District

Popular events

• Firecracker Run (July 4)
• Tour de Tonka (first Saturday in August)

Student achievement in Minnetonka is at an all-time high and ranks among the best in the nation.

The foundation of learning begins early in preschool and elementary school (grades K-5). Many of our students gain more than a year’s academic growth in a year’s time. Our average 5th grader is six grade levels ahead in reading and math compared to national norms.

Our two middle schools (6th-8th grade) offer flexibility and support for students to discover talents and explore interests. Among west metro school districts, our students rank #1 in reading, #2 in science and in the top three for math on state tests. Success goes beyond academics: More than 80% of middle school students are involved in at least one after-school activity, fostering healthy social-emotional development.

Minnetonka High School (9th-12th grade) is ranked among the best high schools in America. Here, students develop and grow within a safe and effective learning environment, excelling in academics, activities, arts and athletics. Minnetonka High School graduates 99 percent of its students and 90 percent are college-bound. The Class of 2018 posted an average ACT Score of 27.7, with twelve students earning a top score of 36. 79% took one or more Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes during their high school career.

Our faculty have a genuine love for children and learning. They know how to make critical connections that will ignite a spark and love of learning in your child. 99% of parents rate education provided by Minnetonka Public Schools as Excellent or Good.

Beyond reading, writing and math, we nurture collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, global learning, technology fluency and real-world experiences. They embrace technology as an accelerator of learning, from coding curriculum to modern tools that keep classroom resources relevant and up-to-date. Minnetonka teachers are well-versed in design thinking and project-based, personalized learning that will prepare every child for a future that can only be imagined.

Minnetonka is the only district in the metro area to have weathered the recession without budget cuts since 2005. We are one of only 70 school districts nationwide with a Moody’s Aaa Bond rating—the highest rating possible. In 2015, our community approved two funding referendums which provided operating revenue and dedicated technology funding through 2025—72% of voters supported the funding, and 92% of parents trust district leaders to do what is right for children.