Author: Juliana Allen

Three Eden Prairie-based school districts and one Eden Prairie-adjacent district have been awarded strong evaluations in the most recent Niche rankings. Niche provides research-based rankings and grade ratings for K-12 schools and colleges across the United States. Eden Prairie Schools (EPS), Eagle Ridge Academy Charter School (ERA), Performing Institute of Minnesota (PiM) Arts High School, and The International School of Minnesota (ISM) all performed well in several categories. When calculating rankings, Niche said it took into account both statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and user data: “Our rankings and grades are calculated using a series of steps to…

Eden Prairie cross country (EPXC) ran hard in a highly competitive field at the Lake Conference Championship on Oct. 13. The Eagles placed third overall behind first-place Wayzata and second-place Minnetonka at Gale Woods Farm in Mound. Head coach Courtney Brandon said, “It was a solid day for our Lake Conference Championships, with many of our kids running season or personal bests!” The Eagles continued to improve as they took on the competition. In the Lake Conference meet, girls varsity placed sixth as a team. The top three EPXC finishers pulled off personal best times: sophomore Sarah Williams (19:24), junior Berit…

The Eden Prairie Performance Team (EPPT) delivered three high-octane performances as it hosted several metro area dance teams at a showcase on Oct. 8. Held on a sunny autumn day at Eden Prairie High School’s (EPHS) Aerie Stadium, the event also featured Blaine Dance Team, Chaska Fall Performance Team, Edina Junior Varsity and Varsity Hornettes, Edina Hip Hop, Holy Family, Minnetonka Junior Varsity and Varsity Performance Team, Maple Grove Dance Team, and St. Kate’s Dance Team. “The showcase serves as a recital to round off the season,” said EPPT head coach and EPHS alumna Emily Ophus. “It’s a chance for…

Swing’s the thing in “The All Night Strut!,” a vocal jazz revue happening this weekend at Eden Prairie’s Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School (PiM). The public is invited to attend all three performances, which will be held in the school’s White Box Theatre. Shows are at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 15, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 for adults and can be purchased online here. “‘The All Night Strut’ moves through the Depression, World War II, and the post-war boom in a two-act musical…

Hard work and dedication have been paying off with a great season so far for Eden Prairie cross country (EPXC) runners. As Eden Prairie High School’s team gets ready for the Lake Conference Championship Meet on Thursday, Oct. 13, here’s a recap of the team’s achievements at recent meets. Full results and schedules are available on the team’s website. Eden Prairie Metro Invitational On Sept. 17, EPXC hosted other metro area teams at the 57th annual Metro Invitational Cross Country Meet held at Round Lake Park. EPXC head coach Courtney Brandon told EPLN, “It was a great event where the…

An Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) student received anonymous threatening text messages directed at him and four other students as they sat in class Friday morning, Oct. 7, according to the student’s father. EPLN has seen screenshots of a text exchange that consisted of various threats from the perpetrator and responses to these threats from the targeted student. One text from the perpetrator read, “I will be coming in the class room with a gun a knife and two kids at 12.15 don’t snitch …” Another read, “someone is dying today.” The texts also appeared to indicate that the perpetrator…

Police have determined that an anonymous threat against an Eden Prairie High School student Friday was not credible, according to an email sent to all Eden Prairie Schools’ families by the school district. The threat resulted in the school being locked down for more than three hours. EPLN has learned that the student’s father did speak with the FBI at the scene, but no further details were available. An Eden Prairie Police representative did not respond immediately to EPLN requests for information. Eden Prairie Schools released its statement at 4:30 p.m. Friday saying that it would not be answering questions…

Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) was placed on lockdown just before 1 p.m. Friday due to a reported anonymous threat. As of 2:45 p.m., an all-clear announcement had not been made and students and staff remained inside the building on “stay-put lockdown,” which means everyone remains in locked classrooms and instruction continues. Students in the school who texted EPLN said they were urgently ushered out of hallways, cafeterias, and common areas into classrooms, and doors were locked behind them. Minnesota State Patrol officers were seen still arriving at the scene after 2 p.m. Eden Prairie police were on site, posted…

Local voters had the opportunity to learn about the upcoming Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) referendum in a town hall hosted Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Central Middle School (CMS). Superintendent Josh Swanson spoke about the current state of the district’s schools, provided an overview of the referendum, showed an informational video, then answered several questions from the small but attentive audience. Attendees also were able to talk with Swanson, district staff, Eden Prairie School Board member C.J. Strehl, and fellow residents before and after the event. Since the event was held over the dinner hour, pizza and childcare were provided. Swanson…

Visitors to the 2022 GIVE Gathering, held Sept. 29 at Central Middle School (CMS), learned ways to give back to their community, plus how to find support if they need it. Organized by the Eden Prairie Schools Community Education (EPCE), Eden Prairie Community Foundation, and the City of Eden Prairie, the annual event was a “one stop shop” where families could learn about volunteer opportunities as well as available resources. Kaleidoscope Teens offered additional planning support. “Traditionally, this has been our community’s volunteer fair,” said Molly Patil, EPCE’s director of adult and community engagement programs. With so many partner organizations…