At Mahtomedi High School (MHS), supporting student well-being and wellness is embedded in our strategic plan, and our strength in this area supports our students now and in the future. Fundamental to student well-being is that students feel they belong in our community and have the opportunity to share their voices and shape what is happening in their school. The Superintendent’s Student Cabinet started last school year and includes 14 MHS students. This group brings diverse perspectives and experiences to provide feedback and ideas for growth and improvement across the district. This year, the group has spent considerable time working to inform how our school can improve career and college experiences, particularly opportunities that will help students develop the skills identified in our Portrait of a Graduate. We also have students currently serving on facilities task forces informing the work of architects who will be constructing student-focused spaces in the future collaboration space, where our locker bay is located, as well as the weight room and fitness area. Their voices on these task forces are critical to how the spaces will be used for Mahtomedi students.

Our physical education and health courses are also key to helping students establish wellness practices they can carry forward into the future. Visiting these classes recently, I could see students identifying their personal learning targets, for example, by creating their own workout plan tailored to their needs and interests. Our educators in these classes are helping build the foundation of lifelong fitness and nutrition. High School students need movement, and you’ll see classes taking regular walking breaks around the school, as well as clubs focused on being outside, like the Power Walking and Bird Nerds clubs. Our Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year and science teacher at MHS, Jim Lane, recently had an article published called, Slow education, Sit Spot, and holistic well-being: A narrative case study in secondary science education. It reminds us that getting outdoors has an incredible impact on emotional well-being, joy, and a much-needed release from daily pressures.

Principal Justin Hahn

The window to apply for participation in the 2026-2027 MHS AVID Elective is now open!

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a nationally recognized in-school program that prepares students for a pathway to college, careers, and lifelong success.  Please click here to learn more about the AVID elective and access the application.

We strongly encourage all interested students to apply! To be considered, students must complete and submit a paper application.  Applications are due by March 23, 2026.

Applications are available in the MHS Main Office, Counseling Office, or in Ms. Lewellen’s Room 1316. Completed applications may be returned to any of these locations or scanned and emailed to carly.lewellen@isd832.net.

We are still seeking businesses and community organizations to participate in our career event on April 10 for Mahtomedi High School students. The event is hosted by Mahtomedi Community Education and Mahtomedi Public Schools.  Click here to Sign Up

We hope to add more professionals in the fields of Medical/Healthcare, Law/Public Safety, and Marketing/Sales to meet career interests identified in a recent student survey about the event.

Mark your calendars! The Community Education Summer catalog is coming soon. Registration for classes and events opens on March 17 at 8 am!

How to view the Summer catalog:
Stay tuned–a virtual edition of our catalog will be available on Eleyo soon for you to get a first glance at the hundreds of opportunities coming your way this summer.

Print catalogs will be mailed to Mahtomedi families and the community in early March before Spring Break!

Congratulations to Mahtomedi High School teacher Mr. Jim Lane, who was named a semifinalist for the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award! Mr. Lane is now one of 30 semifinalists for the award. An independent selection panel of 22 community leaders chose the semifinalists from an initial field of 128 candidates from across the state. The panel will review the semifinalists’ portfolios and video submissions again in mid-March and will select 10 finalists. Mr. Lane is the 2025-26 Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year. Mr. Lane is known for building meaningful relationships with students in the classroom, through activities, and across the community, exemplifying how educators shape meaningful learning experiences and inspire students to grow academically and personally.

This year Mr. Jim Lane was recognized by the Mahtomedi School Board for outstanding leadership at Mahtomedi Public Schools. Click here to read more about the recognition.

AVID is an elective course open to students in grades 9-12 at Mahtomedi High School. The characteristics of an AVID student include a GPA over 2.0, an interest in rigorous coursework, and a potential first-generation college student. AVID is a year-long course taught by Mrs. Carly Lewellen, preparing students for college and future careers by developing essential academic skills, including organizational skills, note-taking skills, study skills, and critical thinking skills. These skills are taught through group projects, career exploration, and tutorials. Tutorials are student-led groups in which students help each other with questions they are confused about. 

AVID students have the opportunity to tour colleges, attend college fairs, and engage with guest speakers. Lorelai Bracken (Class of 2027), a student in AVID since her sophomore year, shared that taking AVID has helped her to “explore many different opportunities with colleges and careers,” adding that “AVID continues to be a big part of my confidence because of all the tools we learn and the opportunities for collaborative work.” Maisee Vang (Class of 2026), a student in AVID since junior year, reflects on the many opportunities AVID brought her, stating that college visits were the most helpful because, “it’s better when things are right in front of you…I was able to able to connect with schools, admission counselors, and figure out what career field I am interested in.” Recently, the class compiled WICOR artifacts from other classes, identifying which assignments have been most effective in presenting their knowledge of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. At the beginning of the school year, students learned about the elements of WICOR, the college and career readiness framework, how to do tutorials, and how to build relational capacity. This elective course encourages students to collaborate and apply the skills they learn to future academic endeavors and beyond.  ✏️Written by Xiaofeng Liang, Class of 2028 student at Mahtomedi High School and Mahtomedi Public Schools Communications Intern

Congratulations to Mahtomedi High School Class of 2026 students Taelin Richmond, Anna Cosby, Layla Befidi, and Amber Becker on being named National Merit Scholar Finalists! The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Of the 1.3 million entrants, students with the highest scores in PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (calculated by doubling the sum of the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

On February 11, Alex Goldfine (Class of 2027, pictured back row, second from left) and Ruby Stembridge (Class of 2026), pictured back row, fourth from left) were honored at BestPrep’s Top 20 Awards ceremony. Each wrote an essay about what personal financial freedom means for them and how personal finance can empower individuals and uplift entire communities. Their essays were selected among the top 20 entries in the statewide contest, and they were recognized at BestPrep’s 50th Anniversary Gala. At the event, they had the opportunity to meet John Hope Bryant, author of Financial Literacy for All, which inspired this year’s writing prompt.

BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides educational programs to students in grades 4-12, with the mission of preparing students with business, career, and financial literacy skills through hands-on experiences that inspire success in work and life. BestPrep works with companies to bridge the gap between classroom learning and skills utilized in the workplace. 

The Mahtomedi Boys Hockey team defeated Hastings 5–1 to advance to the 2026 Section 4A Championship game! Come cheer them on TONIGHT as they take on Chisago Lakes for a chance to advance to State. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. at Aldrich Arena. Go Zephyrs!

The undefeated Mahtomedi/Stillwater Adapted Hockey Team is headed to State! They will compete in the 2026 Adapted Hockey CI Bracket on February 27 & 28! The team plays in the quarterfinals tomorrow, Friday, February 27, at 5:00 PM at Bloomington Jefferson High School (Gym A). Come out and cheer them on! 

Mahtomedi team members are Madison Erickson (2028), Nicholas Manz (2026), and Anabelle Zawislak (2029).

Good luck to our Wrestlers who are participating in the STATE AA Individual Tournament at Grand Casino Arena this week! Elizabeth Carlson (2029), Aidan Carlson (2026), Owen Eigen (2026), Aidan Boex (2028), and Sam White (2026). 

Congratulations to Margo Bruner (2028), Addi Eitel (2026), Cassia Hartman (2028) and Lucy Otto (2026), who recently completed the Gymnastics State competition (Feb 20-21).

Senior All Night Party Social Media Accounts - Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Senior All Night Party Tickets are On Sale Now. Use the discount code: MAHTOMEDI for $25 off.

Interested in sponsoring the Senior All Night Party? Click Here.

Class of 2026, apply NOW for a MAEF Post-Secondary Scholarship. The application deadline is 11:59 pm on March 15, 2026. 

**Please note the deadline for the MAEF Community and Technical scholarship is 11:59 pm on April 24, 2026.

Click here for more information.

Questions about Post-Secondary Scholarships? Please reach out to your school counselor. 

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

The application window for the Carole Fargo Summer Enrichment Scholarship is now open!

This scholarship is available to students in grades K–11 from Mahtomedi Public Schools who demonstrate an interest and passion for the visual arts. The scholarship supports students in pursuing summer camps, workshops, or enrichment programs that foster creativity and artistic expression.

Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Window: January 5 – March 15, 2026