Each month, Principal Justin Hahn spotlights learning happening at our school. This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on World Class Education.

Our Portrait of a Graduate defines the skills, competencies, and mindsets students need for success in the future. As a communicator, one of the key areas of focus is being able to express ideas clearly and concisely for various purposes and audiences.

A course offered at Mahtomedi, which is both meaningful and rigorous and helps students advance their skills and competencies in the area of communications, is the Advanced Placement Language and Composition (APLAC). The year-long course is open to students in 11th grade. Students experience college-level reading and writing and have the opportunity to gain both high school and college credit. Students in the class are currently preparing for their AP exams and working on skills like taking academic risks while analyzing ideas from multiple perspectives, developing arguments using an engaging and authentic voice, and preparing by reading different genres. 

Over half of our students enroll in upper-level coursework, which is particularly impressive for a school of our size. We often hear from alumni about how well-prepared they were for college-level writing, thanks to courses like APLAC. It is also impressive that students want to stretch their learning, and we are here to provide the support they need. 

I am impressed by the way our students are showcasing their learning and sharing it with others. Just this last week, I was able to attend the Advanced Placement Literature student gallery talk and see their presentations before they attend the Great World Texts Conference at the University of Minnesota. It was particularly impactful to see the students' research and writing skills in action and the way they used different media to creatively express their learning. Starting tonight, student writers and visual artists will be showcasing their work at the White Bear Center for the Arts exhibit, Vision & Verse. It is so wonderful to see so many of our students finding joy in sharing their learning and we are so proud to celebrate them and their path to future success. 

Students in Advanced Placement Literature (AP LIT) taught by Ms. Sarah Lorntson will be participating in the Great World Texts Conference at the University of Minnesota, an opportunity to research and showcase their learning. Before the event, students invited families and teachers to see their projects. Their projects are about the novel Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982. The students utilized various media to showcase their learning, including a video essay, a research paper, a musical composition, several pieces of art, and tri-fold displays.

Congratulations to our Class of 2025 student-athletes who will continue their athletics after high school! At school, we held a spring recognition ceremony with families, friends, and coaches. 

Olivia Thiele Track and Field, University of South Dakota; Joseph Pipes, Football, St. Olaf;
Ethan Sockalosky, Lacrosse, Aurora University; Cecelia Thielen, Dance, The Ohio State University; Kaili Malvey, Volleyball and Track and Field, Concordia College, Moorhead;Matthew Johnson, Cross Country & Track, Dordt University; Cate Curran, Lacrosse, Ashland University in Ohio; Mason Kipp, Soccer, St. John's University; Addison Saterbak, Equestrian, South Dakota State University; Cecilia Emery, Soccer, St. Catherine University; Luke Vipond, Swimming, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Dylan Bauman, Baseball, Bethel University; and Ella Frazier, Basketball, University of Northwestern - St. Paul.