Exploration High School
School performance rating
About
Languages spoken by school staff
English, Spanish
Extra programming
Extracurricular programming leans into student passions as ExHS continues to develop new programs. They are part of the MN High School Sports League & compete in both basketball & football. They also have co-op sports in volleyball, soccer, & track & field. Robotics, drama, music, & a debate team have been growing in popularity, & they are open to new programming depending on student interest.
Extracurriculars Offered:
Cultural Extracurriculars, Debate/Speech Clubs, Journalism/Newspaper Club, Music, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports, Theater, Visual Arts
Uniforms
Students who attend Exploration High School are not required to wear uniforms.
How to enroll
To enroll, contact Dave Heighington at dave.heighington@explorationhighschool.org or (612) 787-2540.
Students at this school
Academics
Academic programming
ExHS exists as an answer to the disconnect between traditional education & authentic learning. They are not just preparing students for exams; they’re preparing them for life. And that’s the ‘ExHS Difference’.
Through a hands-on approach, they use the design thinking process to empower students in problem solving. Teachers co-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) where students identify a problem in their community & design workable solutions. 11th graders do internships that focus their passions within local organizations & provide real world experience. 12th grade CAPstone projects serve as a powerful culmination where students apply accrued skills to community impact aligned with post-secondary aspirations.
Academic Programs Offered:
Arts Focused Programming, Career & Technical Education (CTE), College Prep, Language Immersion, Multi-Grade Classrooms, PSEO, Personalized learning, Professional Internships and/or Job Shadowing, STEM/STEAM
Special education programming
ExHS strives 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 families to come up with a plan for their students to be successful, not only in high school, but in the post-secondary setting as well. Their biggest priority is establishing relationships, amplifying student voices, promoting their independence, & working towards post-secondary goals. Special education is a collective & collaborative effort.
English language learner programming
ExHS’s 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 adheres to the WIDA standards & utilizes academic language supports that enable all learners to excel academically. 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.
Climate
88%
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 accelerating cultural, technological, political, & societal change, conventional 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.
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.
Attendance
Equity
66%
Equity vision
ExHS students have a direct voice into not only how their own education is shaped, but the way the school works–from a pedagogical classroom instructional, school culture, & administrative standpoint. This engagement level infuses equity & creativity into school design & operations. Students contribute to faculty professional development, impact food services, establish school-wide initiatives, such as a mental health team & engage in board committees. ExHS provides the tools & experiences to create conditions for their diverse student body to have voice & power in their learning.