Elementary Schools in Eden Prairie

[EPtg]

My older son (now a 7th grader) went to Forest Hills and considers it the best school in the world. He was lucky to be in the multi-age class (with two grades, and students were in 1st & 2nd with one set of teachers, then 3rd and 4th with another set, but mostly the same students) and his teachers were really really good. The class size was huge, but had two teachers (plus any individual aides) so one could teach while the other prepped, dealt with discipline, etc. I felt like they really cared about the kids. My son is a pretty bright kid (in gifted and talented since kindergarten) and he felt like he learned a lot there.

I don't know if things have changed drastically recently. I know that is has many poorer and immigrant families attending and that test scores are down. I would guess that perhaps the poorest people in EP live in that district (although there were many well-off families attending there) and have the highest stressors in their lives - this could possibly be the cause of the lower test scores. Perhaps more likely it could be that there are so many Somalis at that particular school that they are not integrating into the mainstream as well - hindering their knowledge of language and western-style education.

I am saddened to hear of the school being referred to in such a negative light, and would suggest prospective parents visit the school before making a
decision. Test scores do not reflect everything.

With regards to Somalis, I am sad to say that I have heard there are problems. I am happy that EP has opened its doors (fairly recently) to immigrants, and I hope these will be worked through with time.

[clo18224]

I grew up in Eden Prairie. Most of the lower income/subsidized housing is in that elementary schools zone. They're considering changing the elementary school zoning to deal with this unintentional segregation.