Highland Park Middle School

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Nestled in the heart of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Highland Park Middle School stands as a beacon of educational excellence and innovation. Located at 975 Snelling Avenue South, this dynamic institution serves students in grades 6-8, offering a comprehensive and enriching academic experience that goes far beyond traditional middle school education.

A Unique Educational Philosophy

Highland Park Middle School embraces a distinctive middle school philosophy that sets it apart from conventional educational approaches. The school organizes students into smaller learning communities called teams, where each student shares the same core teachers for English, humanities, and science. This innovative structure creates a strong sense of belonging and provides critical support during the challenging transition from elementary to middle school.

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program

As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB-MYP) school, Highland Park Middle School offers a rigorous academic curriculum that develops students’ critical thinking and global awareness. The program requires students to participate in eight subject areas, emphasizing:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Advanced-level courses in core subjects
• International and local concept analysis
• Comprehensive language education

Language and Cultural Immersion

The school takes pride in its language immersion programs, offering both Spanish and Chinese immersion tracks. Students can take up to four classes in their target language, providing an exceptional opportunity for linguistic and cultural development. As part of the IB-MYP requirements, students must enroll in one of three world language courses: Spanish, Chinese, or French.

Comprehensive Student Experiences

Highland Park Middle School goes beyond traditional academics by offering a diverse range of extracurricular activities and competitions, including:

🏆 Note: The school also offers a comprehensive athletics program, with 7th and 8th-grade students having access to additional sports through Highland Park Senior High.

Recent Transformative Renovation

In a remarkable development, the school underwent a $23.5 million renovation that dramatically transformed its facilities. The project included enhanced safety features, new learning spaces, and modernized infrastructure. Highlights of the renovation include:

• Redesigned administration wing
• Improved classroom and collaboration spaces
• New HVAC system with air conditioning
• Redesigned cafeteria and connecting Link structure
• Enhanced security measures

The renovation has created a more welcoming and efficient learning environment that students and staff alike appreciate. Principal Hibaq Mohamed noted that students even commented the new space feels like a modern, inviting location.

Highland Park Middle School continues to be a vibrant educational community, committed to nurturing students' academic, social, and emotional growth. With its innovative programs, dedicated staff, and state-of-the-art facilities, the school prepares students for success in high school and beyond.