Whittier International Elementary

Grades:
PK-5
Link to enroll
School hours:
Mon-Fri 9:10AM-3:40PM
Before school care:
No
After school care:
Yes
District:
Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis School Finder Rating

Below Average

About

About Us

Whittier Community is a community school serving nearby students & families in South Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood, & has a strong International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). Students & families who are a part of the Whittier school community shape the way the school reflects & exemplifies the culture & fabric of its community. Whittier is a place where all children, through rigorous academics & supportive relationships, develop a strong sense of who they are & where they come from. Students develop unique ways of looking at the world around them to gain truly global perspectives right in their own neighborhood.

Languages spoken by school staff

English, Spanish, Somali, Arabic

Extra programming

Whittier has an After-School Activities Program with offerings such as rock climbing, Girl Scouts, Engineering the Ride, & more.

Extracurriculars Offered:

Cultural Extracurriculars, Environmental/Outdoors Clubs, Foreign Language Clubs, Music, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports, Theater

Uniforms

Students who attend Whittier International Elementary 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

Students, by population (491 total)
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native
    5%
  • Asian
    2%
  • Black or African American
    30%
  • Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
    0%
  • Hispanic
    44%
  • Two or more races
    6%
  • White
    12%
  • English Language Learner
    51%
  • From a Low Income Background
    85%
  • Special Education
    9%

Teachers at this school

Teachers, by population (40 total)
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native
    0%
  • Asian
    0%
  • Black or African American
    3%
  • Hispanic
    6%
  • Two or more races
    6%
  • White
    86%

Average student to teacher ratio

10:1

Academics

Low Performing

Academic performance rating

Low Performing

Academic programming

Whittier International utilizes the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) approach to learning & teaching allows IB students to develop transferable & lifelong skills & attributes, such as critical thinking, international mindedness, creativity, agency, & resilience. Students are supported to access content independently through Whittier’s MTSS approach.

Academic Programs Offered:

International Baccalaureate (IB)

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.

Proficiency

% of students on grade level
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Math Reading 100% 0%

1 out of 10 students are performing math at grade level

2025 math proficiency - 9%

1 out of 10 students read at grade level

2025 reading proficiency - 14%

Progress

% of students on track
2022 2023 2024 2025 Math Reading 100% 0%

2 out of 10 students are progressing to graduate on grade-level in math

2025 math progress - 17%

3 out of 10 students are progressing to graduate on grade-level in reading

2025 reading progress - 31%

Climate

Average

Climate performance rating

Average

School values

Whittier Elementary School’s values are to: Encourage exploration, inquiry, & critical thinking; Provide learning opportunities that integrate subject areas; Promote local & global action; & Respect cultural similarities & differences.

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.

Bullying Prevention Policy

The MPS Bullying & Hazing Prohibition Policy exists to maintain a safe & supportive learning environment for students & staff that is free from bullying or hazing. MPS strives to take action to investigate, respond to, remediate, & impose discipline for acts of bullying & hazing which have not been successfully prevented.
Read the full MPS Bullying & Hazing Prohibition Policy at: www.bit.ly/3Ih2RQW.

Teacher retention

% of teachers who stayed at the school
71% 53% 65% 96% 91% 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 100% 0%

Attendance

% of students who regularly attend school (at least 90% of time)
65% 47% 57% 63% 2021 2022 2023 2024 100% 0%

Discipline

Number of expulsions or suspensions per every hundred students
Per 100 Students 0 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 13 1 10 13 3

Equity

Below Average

Equity performance rating

Below Average

Equity vision

All Whittier International Elementary students will become independent global thinkers through inquiry & action.

Proficiency

% students on grade level, by student group
0% 100% City average 6% American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 10% Black or African American City average 2% English Language Learner City average 7% From a Low Income Background City average 8% Hispanic City average 16% Two or more races City average 9% Special Education City average 47% White City average 12% All students
0% 100% City average 6% American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 10% Black or African American City average 2% English Language Learner City average 7% From a Low Income Background City average 8% Hispanic City average 16% Two or more races City average 9% Special Education City average 47% White City average 12% All students

Progress

% of students progressing to graduate on grade level, by student group
0% 100% City average 20% From a Low Income Background City average 24% All students City average 23% Black or African American
0% 100% City average 20% From a Low Income Background City average 24% All students City average 23% Black or African American

Teacher retention

Teachers who stayed at the school last year by race/ethnicity
0% 100% City average 100% Hispanic City average 100% Two or more races City average 84% White
0% 100% City average 100% Hispanic City average 100% Two or more races City average 84% White

Teachers of color

14%

Students of color

87%

Attendance

% of students who regularly attend school (at least 90% of the time)
0% 100% City average 52% Black or African American City average 70% English Language Learner City average 60% From a Low Income Background City average 74% Hispanic City average 67% Special Education City average 58% White City average 63% All students
0% 100% City average 52% Black or African American City average 70% English Language Learner City average 60% From a Low Income Background City average 74% Hispanic City average 67% Special Education City average 58% White City average 63% All students

Discipline

Number of expulsions or suspensions for every hundred students
0% 100% City average 12 American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 2 Asian City average 30 Black or African American City average 4 Hispanic City average 25 Two or more races City average 3 White City average 13 All students
0% 100% City average 12 American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 2 Asian City average 30 Black or African American City average 4 Hispanic City average 25 Two or more races City average 3 White City average 13 All students