Southwest High School
School performance rating
About
Languages spoken by school staff
English, Spanish, Somali
Extra programming
We have over 50 different sports, clubs, & activities at Southwest. Our award-winning music & theater programs & competitive athletic teams provide anchor our offerings that also include numerous creative clubs that reflect the unique interests of our students & staff.
How to enroll
If interested in enrolling, contact Student Placement Services at (612) 668-1840 or sps.department@mpls.k12.mn.us. You can also visit exploremps.org for more information. Please submit your school request form by 2/7/23.
Students at this school
Teachers at this school
Average student to teacher ratio
Academics
78%
Academic programming
Southwest is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School with a rigorous academic program that prepares students for college, career & life. Continuously ranked among the best high schools in Minnesota, Southwest challenges students to think critically & engage in their learning. Southwest is authorized in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), the IB Diploma Programme (DP), & the IB Career-related Programme (CP). The MYP provides a solid foundation of inquiry & critical thinking for all students in grades 9-10. In 11th grade, students may opt to participate in either the CP, which focuses on a career pathway in business, computer science, graphic arts, & music, or the DP, which focuses on rigorous liberal arts coursework. Southwest also offers Advanced Placement courses & exams to students in grades 9-12 & concurrent enrollment options via Mankato State University, Minneapolis College, & the University of Minnesota. Offers world languages: French, Spanish, Japanese & ASL.
Special education programming
Provides special education services with specialized autism, developmental/cognitive, & learning disability programming.
English language learner programming
Offers English Language Learner programming.
Covid recovery plan
Minneapolis Public Schools is focused on the implementation of the MPS Strategic Plan as adopted by the school board. Within the Strategic Plan, MPS is providing optional academic boosts for students who need additional support. The academic boosts are implemented in many different ways including additional staffing, intervention programs and tutoring. As we continue to explore innovative ways to address learning and opportunity gaps as a result of interrupted learning over the past few years, we will be prioritizing academic boosts that are student-centered and site based.
College Continuation
Graduation
Average composite ACT score
Climate
79%
School values
Southwest values the richness that comes from a diversity of ideas, experiences, beliefs, & backgrounds interacting within our community.
Teacher retention
Attendance
Discipline
Equity
37%
Equity vision
MPS is in the process of implementing MPS Together, as part of this all schools must write School Improvement Plans that address & incorporate equity. MPS strives to be known by our community as welcoming, responsive, & connected (see online for full statement).