This month, the District hosted the Dessert & Dialogue community engagement event focused on our Portrait of a Graduate competencies and how the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) shapes future success. Parents and community members whose professional work is closely connected to AI shared that effective AI use depends on integrity, innovative thinking, collaboration, and critical thinking, all skills reflected in our Portrait. Their insights reinforced that AI is not just about technology; it is about how people think, choose, create, and work with others. That connection speaks directly to this month’s focus on self-awareness and self-direction. 

This school year, we’ve seen an increase in Advanced Placement (AP) testing from 690 to over 800 total tests. This increase reflects that students are self-selecting rigorous workloads, and our staff is helping them build the confidence to take on such challenges. In AP Art, students demonstrate self-awareness and self-direction through sustained investigations for their portfolios, as they revise, reflect, set goals, and make decisions about their creative work. We also see this month’s theme as our students prepare for their AP exams. These challenging exams require students to understand how they learn best and use that knowledge to set preparation goals, select study methods, and manage their time. 

Across our school, students are developing self-awareness and self-direction through AVID's Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR) instructional approaches. These strategies give students tools to take ownership of their thinking and learning. Students build these skills by coming prepared, engaging thoughtfully with peers, thinking critically during discussions, and using organizational strategies like SMART goals, planners, and focused notes.

The Minnesota Department of Health recently published data from the Minnesota Student Survey, and we learned that 85% of Mahtomedi students reported that they “Feel a strong sense of identity and control over their future.” This is more than ten percentage points higher than neighboring districts and the statewide number. This data reinforces what we see across our school: students are not only learning academic content but also developing the confidence, habits, and self-understanding they need to direct their own futures.

Principal Justin Hahn

MHS will administer AP exams from May 4 through May 15. Below is the schedule, including dates, times, and testing locations for each exam.

Students should check their school email for important messages from Mr. Akins.

Exams and Dates: Monday, May 4: Microeconomics - 12:00 PM, Media Center; Tuesday, May 5: Chemistry - 8:00 AM, ASC; Human Geography - 8:00 AM, Media Center (A–L) & Small Gym (M–Z); United States Government - 12:00 PM, Counseling Office; Wednesday, May 6: English Literature - 8:00 AM, Media Center; Thursday, May 7: Statistics - 12:00 PM, Media Center & Counseling; Friday, May 8: U.S. History - 8:00 AM, Media Center; Macroeconomics - 12:00 PM, Media Center; AP Art Portfolios due by 7:00 PM - If you have any questions, please reach out to your art teacher; Monday, May 11: Calculus AB & BC- 8:00 AM, Media Center; Tuesday, May 12: Precalculus - 8:00 AM, Media Center; Psychology - 12:00 PM, Media Center (A–K) & Small Gym (L-Z); Wednesday, May 13: English Language - 8:00 AM, Media Center (A–H) & Small Gym (I–Z); Friday, May 15: Computer Science - 12:00 PM, Media Center

Mahtomedi Community Education is looking for an organized, dependable Cross Country Manager for the Fall 2026 season. If you love being outdoors and want to support our Mahtomedi Middle School athletes, we want to hear from you!

About the role:
Manage daily attendance and student supervision, track and record race scores, and assist coaching staff during practices and meets. 

Details: 
Who: Open to students in 10th grade and above
When: Aug. 3-Oct 8 
Hours: 3:45-4:15 pm (stay until 6:30 pm on meet days)
Pay: $12/hour

Reach out to Stephanie Groff at stephanie.groff@isd832.net to apply or ask questions! 

AP Macroeconomics is open to 10th through 12th-grade students with no prerequisites required. It is a semester-long course taught by Mr. Sansgaard that fulfills the economics graduation requirement and offers the opportunity to dive deeper into how the world’s economies function. Throughout the class, students explore key concepts such as national income and GDP, price determination, economic growth, and overall economic performance. The course also introduces international economics, helping students understand how countries interact globally. Class of 2026 student Caroline Potjer shared, “The wide-scale relevance of AP Macroeconomics has allowed me to understand the role of economics in all aspects of life that we see through prices, policies, and business systems.” In recent classes, students have been preparing for the AP exam while applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios and discussions.

This course is especially valuable for students interested in politics, international relations, policymaking, or business. By the end of the semester, students walk away with a stronger understanding of how economies operate, along with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed on the AP exam and beyond. Written by Yuktika Samtani, Class of 2027 student at Mahtomedi High School and Mahtomedi Public Schools Communications Intern.

Congratulations to our Mahtomedi High School students who advanced to State!

Exhibits: Paige Skadsberg - The Greensboro Sit-in, Ethan Nicholls - THE CHEKA The Sword and Shield of the Revolution, Audrey Dock - Prohibition: The Rise of Organized Crime, Ellory Francis - Yi Sun-sin and the Imjin War, and Mia Weinberger - The Outsiders: The Legacy Of Literature Websites: Madison Elsholtz - The Hanging Chad Controversy, Ian Russell - The Invention of the Altair 8800 Changed the World, and Indiana Weiss - The Creation of the WNBADocumentary: Sean Huizinga and Aiden Hackworthy - NFL-AFL Merger, Fiona Nicoli - Patsy Takemoto Mink: The Fight for Title IX (also won the Topical Award – BIPOC Women in History), and George DeBruin - Dungeons & Dragons: Changing the Game Performance: Keagan Graham - The Humanization Of the AIDS Crisis (also won 5th place for individual performance) and Alyssa Horning and Safiya Goodwin - Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act (also won 5th place for group performance)

As part of the World History curriculum at Mahtomedi High School, students participate in National History Day. 9th-grade students choose a topic related to the annual theme. The 2026 theme was Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. Students also select a category that highlights their skills: performance, paper, exhibit, documentary, or website. This project allows students to develop important research skills while learning about a topic that is personally relevant to them.

Congratulations to Andrew Russell (Class of 2026) for winning the High Jump at the Hamline Elite Meet on April 24th, after previously setting a school record at the MEC Mid-Conference Meet earlier that week.

Congratulations to Connor Finn (Class of 2026) who was recently named the White Bear Press Athlete of the Week.

Seniors should make a special effort to check their school email frequently, as important reminders and communications will increase.

For information about the distribution of caps & gowns, as well as other details regarding graduation, please click here

Click here for the latest Senior Meeting Slide Deck

Click here for information and to register for the Class of 2026 Senior All-Night Party

Stay connected with the Class of 2026 Senior Party on Facebook and Instagram

Throughout the school year, MHS hosts opportunities for our students to visit with representatives from a variety of colleges, universities, trade/technical schools, and branches of the U.S. Military.

CLICK HERE to view Mahtomedi High School's upcoming College & Career visits.

Questions about post-secondary options? Stop by the Counseling Office to make an appointment with your MHS Counselor.

Questions about post-secondary planning?
Please reach out to your MHS Counselor.

Ms. Erickson - Students with Last names A-D
Ms. Cole - Students with Last names E-K
Mr. Miley - Students with Last names L-Q
Mr. Akins - Students with Last names R-Z