Why Blake

Seven students peaking out from under a parachute.

There are many good schools available to families today in the Twin Cities, both public and private. Small and large, specialized and liberal arts-based, the educational choices are as varied as they are many.

At Blake we are proud of those things that distinguish us from other independent schools: unique learning environment, outstanding faculty, superior academic, arts and athletic programs, magnificent facilities, leading-edge technology, strong leaders, the three-campus configuration and our commitment to pluralism, global citizenship and community. We are especially proud of our unique, bright and multi-talented students.

Unique Learning Environment
Everything we do at Blake is student-centric and we are committed to ensuring the physical, psychological and intellectual safety of each learner. We nurture the uniqueness of each student and encourage children to take ownership of their own learning. Our size allows us to sustain an environment in which each student is well known while they explore new interests and master concepts. Blake is a place where it's okay to take risks, where effort is recognized, and where there is room for everyone to succeed. We believe in the importance of pluralism, global citizenship and community involvement.

Examples of our unique learning environment:

"Signs of Emerging Literacy" - Patti Loftus, a Blake Pre-K teacher (who is also a member of the Minnesota Reggio Network) and a number of other Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area teachers responded to an invitation last summer to document a project with students around the theme "Our Community." This opportunity arose in conjunction with the arrival of an exhibit, "The Hundred Languages of Children," featuring the work of children, teachers, and parents in Reggio Emilia, Italy. In this project, Blake Pre-K students attempted to write and read when they wanted to communicate a strong message or know what specific print "said." They often pushed beyond their previously observed level of skill. To view photographs of Blake pre-kindergarteners' work, please visit the School's web site at www.blakeschool.org and click on "Academics - Lower School Class Projects - Signs of Emerging Literacy."
8th Grade Pond Project - For more than 10 years, eighth grade science classes at Blake have participated in a pond study project as part of the ecology unit. Students visit a neighborhood pond where they do observational writing and drawing, identify plants and animals, collect water samples, and take data on water temperature and pH. Students conducted their field research at the confluence of Minnehaha Creek and Meadowbrook Lake. After compiling all their data, students prepared informational brochures or wrote research papers containing the results of their observations and tests. Copies of these are provided to golf course administrators, who in turn use them to meet the education requirement in their application to certify the golf course as wildlife habitat with Audubon International.

Other illustrations of Blake's unique programs include:

Visiting Artist Program
Diversity Symposium and Global University
More athletic team offerings than any other independent school in Minnesota
International Studies
Upper School Senior Project

Outstanding Faculty
At Blake, we are committed to finding and hiring the finest teachers possible. As one of the finest independent schools in the nation, last year alone our national searches attracted over 900 applicants for various faculty and administrative positions at the School. Blake faculty members have an average of eighteen years of experience, over 80% have advanced degrees, and many are experts in their respective fields. Blake's rich and innovative professional development program, offers teachers, both new and veteran, ongoing opportunities for additional training. Given our commitment to students and teachers, Blake students are nurtured with care throughout all stages of their development, and are able to progress faster in areas of strength while receiving extra attention to master more difficult subjects.

Superior Programs
Pre-Kindergarten and through grade 12, Blake students have a remarkable number of opportunities for learning and leadership, on and away from campus. Teacher-student ratios are low, curricular programming is designed to develop the whole child, and we foster lifelong learning so that our students maximize all of their potential. The Blake academic program is challenging, but that challenge is paralleled by our supportive and caring environment.

One example of Blake's strength lies in the area of College Counseling. Our experienced College Counseling staff employs an intentional, caring and strategic approach in identifying the best post-secondary "match" for graduating seniors. The Blake School College Counselors serve as advisors, teachers, and sources of information for our students and families experiencing the different phases of the College Admission Process. Our College Counseling office, staffed with five knowledgeable individuals, takes a team approach. Drawing upon their cumulative years of college admission experience, the group begins working with students in the fall of the junior year offering a comprehensive program of education. Always advocates for Blake students, the Blake College Counselors act as liaisons to the colleges and universities.

Best of Both Worlds: Magnificent Facilities and Leading Edge Technology
Blake enjoys the distinction of three unique and beautiful campuses. As a school we are large enough to provide a breadth of academic, athletic, artistic and social opportunities, yet our three unique campuses allow us to create more intimate communities, each with an environment tailored to the needs of the age group it serves.

Encompassed within an updated and wireless environment, Blake's computer curriculum encourages students to construct knowledge in their minds through meaningful real world projects using real world tools. These projects integrate math, science, language arts and technology into student's thinking. With the assistance of our highly trained computer specialists, students in the lower, middle and upper schools enjoy a vast array of hardware, software, and computer lab time.

Examples:

vGallery - Blake's vGallery is a product of The Blake School's new media initiative, a program developed to provide a "toolkit," training and venue for collective/collaborative efforts of the community via technology. Blake's vGallery allows students and teachers to come together using multiple languages, a variety of communication media and tapping the computer-mediated process of translation of ideas and concepts.
LS Robotics/LEGO projects - LEGO Logo projects are integrated into the science and computer curriculum of the Blake School. Students in the second grade study levers, third graders study pulleys, the fourth grade studies gears, and fifth grade experiences combine previous studies into a self-designed robotics project.

Visionary Leaders
Blake's leaders are committed to student learners, believe wholly in the power of education and are experienced in the field of school management, both private and public. Our administrators are a highly qualified, diverse and caring group of professionals committed to sound, ethical leadership and governance. The result is our ability to strategically plan and sustain our unique academic, athletic and arts programs. Under the leadership of a dynamic head of school and a committed, visionary Board of Trustees, Blake is well prepared to cultivate the next generation of lifelong learners.

In short, Blake has a great deal to offer. We work hard to challenge and support our students as they prepare to lead lives as thriving world citizens. If you are interested in learning more about life at independent schools, go to http://nais.org/admission/parents/. If you would like to schedule a tour, please contact Carolyn Bloom at 952-988-3420 or admissionsinfo@blakeschool.org.

See information about Blake's tuition and financial aid program.