After hearing the radio ad for Eagle Ridge Academy charter school in Eden Prairie, I asked board member Susan Brown for an update. Eagle Ridge Academy opened in the fall of 2004 with grades 6, 7 and 9. In the fall of 2005, it will add grades 8 and 10; in subsequent years it will add grades 11 and 12.
The school's radio ad on AM 1280 The Patriot has apparently generated a lot of interest. Susan says that they have over 100 applications for the 2005-2006 school year, from southwest metro residents and from as far away as Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Apple Valley, Glencoe, Maple Grove, and Brooklyn Park, and from outside the United States.
Headed by director Judi Ingison, the school is ironing out first year issues like the school uniform policy, curriculum refinements, and new sports clubs. Like Veritas Academy in Minnetonka, Eagle Ridge touts a classical, liberal arts, college preparatory curriculum.
"As the end of the year approaches," said Brown in an e-mail message, "some of the popular and unique aspects of Eagle Ridge Academy have been Focused Studies on Wednesday, a three-hour block on Wednesday for students to explore other areas of study in more depth as well as some sports activities.
"Also, school community meetings are held once a month with our director and allow families the forum for the airing of both the positive and negative.
"Finally, the curriculum nights held every five weeks provide parents with valuable curriculum information such as the upcoming tests, papers and reading material for their students, but also, the curriculum grids that are handed out allow them to see how the curriculum is being integrated."
For further information, visit the information-packed Eagle Ridge Academy web site, e-mail Susan Brown, or call (952) 746-7760.
EDUCATION
