Southwest High School
Minneapolis School Finder Rating
About
About Us
Southwest High School in Southwest Minneapolis serves students in grades 9-12. Southwest offers a comprehensive academic program with diverse pathways including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (IB), Career & Technical Education, arts & athletics. The school celebrates the diverse backgrounds interacting within the community. Southwest is an International Baccalaureate World School & partners with the University of Minnesota for PSEO courses. The school offers over 30 AP courses, extensive arts programming including orchestra, band, choir, theater & visual arts, & competitive athletics in the Minneapolis Conference. Southwest prepares students for college, career & life through rigorous academics, extensive extracurricular opportunities & strong community engagement. The school emphasizes global citizenship, critical thinking & social responsibility.
Languages spoken by school staff
English, Spanish, Somali
Extra programming
Southwest High School offers Cultural Extracurriculars, Debate/Speech Clubs, Environmental/Outdoors Clubs, Foreign Language Clubs, Journalism/Newspaper Clubs, Music, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports, Theater, Visual Arts Clubs
Extracurriculars Offered:
Cultural Extracurriculars, Debate/Speech Clubs, Environmental/Outdoors Clubs, Foreign Language Clubs, Journalism/Newspaper Clubs, Music, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports, Theater, Visual Arts Clubs
Uniforms
Students who attend Southwest High School are not required to wear uniforms.
How to enroll
If interested in enrolling, contact Student Placement Services at (612) 668-1840 or sps.department@mpls.k12.mn.us.
Students at this school
Teachers at this school
Average student to teacher ratio
Academics
High Performing
Academic programming
MPS supports district programming & curriculum that promotes the academic achievement of all learners.
Academic Programs Offered:
Arts Focused Programming, Career & Technical Education (CTE), College prep, Credit recovery, International Baccalaureate (IB), Multi-Grade Classrooms, Online Learning, PSEO, Personalized Learning, STEM/STEAM
Special education programming
Consistent with federal & Minnesota law, special education instruction & related services are provided to all children with disabilities (age birth through 21 years) who need & meet the eligibility criteria for special education instruction & related services.
Read the full MPS Special Education Policy at: www.bit.ly/3Mul9kr.
Curricula
No response from school.
English language learner programming
MPS supports district programming & curriculum that promotes the accelerated academic achievement of English learners & recognizes the important role multilingualism plays in achieving academic success & in the future careers of MPS students.
Read the full MPS Bilingual Student Education Policy at: www.bit.ly/42VAq2U.
College Continuation
Graduation
Average composite ACT score
Climate
High Performing
School values
MPS’s values are:
1) Equity, representation, & anti-racism;
2) Physical & emotional safety & wellbeing;
3) Relationships, trust, & communication;
4) Shared decision-making & voice;
5) Transparency & accountability; &
6) Evidence-based strategies.
Learn more at: www.mpschools.org/strategic-plan.
Recess
No response from school.
Discipline Policy
MPS recognizes that appropriate school behavior is critical to academic success & to sustaining a rich & effective learning community. Their Discipline & Student Behavior Policy states that student instruction time lost due to removal from classes in response to misbehavior must be minimized. MPS looks to parents & families to partner in teaching & supporting appropriate school behavior to maximize the academic success of their students.
Read the full MPS Discipline & Student Behavior Policy at: www.bit.ly/42ZvEkZ.
Teacher retention
Attendance
Discipline
Equity
Above Average
Equity vision
MPS’s vision is that all students–no matter their background, ZIP code, & personal needs–will receive an anti-racist, holistic education that builds key knowledge to prepare students for future success. To achieve their vision, MPS will intentionally focus on & prioritize resources & actions to significantly improve the experiences & outcomes of Black students, Indigenous students, students of color, & their families. MPS is in the process of implementing their Climate Framework (www.mpschools.org/about-mps/climate-framework), in which all schools must write School Improvement Plans that address & incorporate equity.
Learn more at www.mpschools.org/strategic-plan.
