Exploration High School
Minneapolis School Finder Rating
About
About Us
At Exploration High School (ExHS), they do things differently. They center students: their voice, interests, & growth. They see the community as part of the classroom.
Real Work: Learning is rooted in hands-on, project-based experiences tied to real issues & industries. Students solve problems, design solutions, & apply their learning outside of school walls.
Purpose: ExHS co-creates learning with students, focusing on topics that matter to the students & helping them build the skills & confidence to lead their own path.
Belonging: Relationships come first. Small groups, strong adult connections, & a focus on identity & mental health create a culture where students feel safe, seen, & valued.
Languages spoken by school staff
English, Hmong, Spanish
Extra programming
Extracurriculars at ExHS continue to grow based on student passions. ExHS teams compete in basketball & football in the MN High School Sports League. The school also has co-op sports in volleyball, soccer, & track & field. Robotics, drama, music, & a debate team have become more popular, & ExHS is open to new extracurriculars depending on student interest.
Extracurriculars Offered:
AV/Tech Clubs, Environmental/Outdoors Clubs, Journalism/Newspaper Clubs, Music, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports, Theater, Visual Arts Clubs
Uniforms
Students who attend Exploration High School are not required to wear uniforms.
How to enroll
To enroll, contact Jeff Williams, Director of Operations at (763) 265-3423 or jeff@explorationhighschool.org.
Students at this school
Teachers at this school
Average student to teacher ratio
Academics
Academic programming
ExHS presents an answer to the gap between traditional education & true learning. They don’t just prepare students for exams; they prepare them for life. That’s the ‘ExHS Difference.’ Through a hands-on approach & design thinking processes, they help students become problem-solvers. Teachers create these learning experiences with students, not for them.
The school encourages 9th & 10th graders to explore passions & community issues through Community Asset Projects (CAPs). During a CAP, students find a problem in their community & design ways to solve it. Eleventh graders participate in internships where they can utilize their passions to help a local organization & gain real-world experience. Twelfth graders have a CAPstone project that challenges them to apply the skills they learned to make their community a better place in a way that matches their goals for the future.
Academic Programs Offered:
Arts Focused Programming, Career & Technical Education (CTE), College Prep, Credit Recovery, Multi-Grade Classrooms, PSEO, Personalized Learning, Professional Internships and/or Job Shadowing, STEM/STEAM
Special education programming
ExHS works hard to create special education programming that meets the individual needs of each student. For some students, that means receiving push-in services in the general education setting, & for others, that means being pulled out & receiving services in a small group setting. Ideally, all students will get to a point where they can receive all services within the general education setting. Special educators work closely with teachers to ensure that the curriculum is accessible to all students. ExHS values collaboration with families as well & works with them to develop a plan for their students to succeed, not only in high school but also after graduation. Their biggest priority is establishing relationships, amplifying student voices, promoting student independence, & working towards future goals. Special education is a collective & collaborative effort.
Curricula
Exploration High School designs their own project-based learning curriculum, using Minnesota state standards in math & reading as the foundation. These standards serve as a launching point, & they build upon them through hands-on, real-world projects that deepen student learning & engagement.
English language learner programming
ExHS’s English Language Development (ELD) program is designed to empower students linguistically & help them achieve their learning targets, while fostering the growth of their higher-order thinking skills. Small class sizes allow for more individualized support.
The school follows the World-Class Instructional Design & Assessment (WIDA) standards & utilizes academic language supports that help all students do well in class. They believe that language proficiency goes hand in hand with the ability to analyze, synthesize, & evaluate complex information, which are essential skills for success in education & beyond.
Lessons & assessments are tailored to students’ language proficiency levels, allowing them to gradually build a strong foundation in English language skills. ExHS’s goal is to create an environment where all students can confidently express themselves, engage with academic content, & contribute meaningfully to class discussions & projects.
Graduation
Climate
Average
School values
Exploration High School (ExHS)—a public school for public good—is led by students, powered by teachers, & rooted in community. Their premise: in a world surrounded by fast-moving cultural, technological, political, & societal change, traditional educational models are hopelessly outdated. Their mission is to empower young people to be changemakers in the community, as they actively learn to navigate this complex world.
Recess
Exploration High School views unstructured time as an important part of building community & supporting student well-being. While their students are older, they intentionally create safe, welcoming spaces during breaks that function much like recess in younger grades. Staff are present & engaged, ensuring supervision, safety, & positive interactions. Students have access to outdoor & indoor areas where they can connect with peers, relax, or engage in physical activity. They emphasize inclusivity by offering a variety of options—from open gym to quiet spaces—so all students feel comfortable. These breaks provide meaningful opportunities for students to recharge, build friendships, & return to learning with focus & energy.
Discipline Policy
ExHS works hard to build strong familial relationships in the community, yet they know that even in the strongest families, conflict will arise. As an organization dedicated to Restorative Practices, they embrace conflict as a natural & important part of healthy communities, & they work hard to develop the habits, skills, & mindsets that help students resolve conflict peacefully & productively.
Teacher retention
Discipline
Equity
Above Average
Equity vision
ExHS students have a direct voice in not only how their own education is designed, but also in the way their school works, from classroom teaching to school culture & administration. This brings equity & creativity into the school’s design & operations. Students contribute to their teachers’ professional development, make decisions related to food services, set up school-wide initiatives like the mental health team, & work with board committees. ExHS gives students the tools & experiences to create space for their diverse student body to have a voice & to make choices about their learning.
