Let's meet!
Welcome to Blake! We look forward to helping you learn more about Blake’s exceptional program and warm, inclusive school community. The 2020-21 school year is off to a great start, and we’d love to tell you more. Admissions staff are available to talk with you via phone or Zoom call, answer your questions and offer you an on-campus tour of our Lower School, Middle School or Upper School campuses. To sign up for a tour, please create a Blake Admissions Portal account here.
We look forward to getting to know you and helping you learn more about Blake!
Campus Tours
Upper School
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Hi! I’m Cyrus the Bear, Blake’s mascot. Come with me on a tour of Blake’s Upper School campus in Minneapolis.
This entrance faces historic Kenwood Parkway. the name “Northrop Collegiate School”carved over the door is a reference to one of Blake’s predecessor institutions and our centuries-long history.
Blake’s primary student entrance is located on the west side of campus, adjacent to the visitor parking lot.
Blake students, faculty and parents use an I.D. badge to access the building. Visitors are greeted by security staff.
Our junior lounge is one of the first areas you see when entering the school. This warm and welcoming space offers students a place to gather, work together and sit by the fireplace.
Each grade in the Upper School has about 130 students, making it easy to get involved in clubs, activities and sports.
The Upper School is a combination of historic and modern spaces. Part of the building was constructed in 1919, while the science and library wing were completed in 2011.
Our senior lounge features a portrait of Cyrus Northrop, former University of Minnesota president, school mentor and my namesake!
The Juliet Nelson Auditorium serves as a community space for all-school meetings, senior speeches, guest speakers and other special events.
The arts hallway on the first floor is home to a visual art studio where students learn drawing and painting.
All students take at least two years of arts courses, which can include instrumental ensembles.
There are three choral classes available to Upper School students. These groups perform in all-school concerts throughout the year.
Math classes meet on the lower level. Blake’s Upper School math curriculum goes from algebra to beyond AP Calculus, ensuring that every students is supported and challenged.
The arts wing of the Upper School also includes a clay studio, photography classroom and wood print classroom.
A black box theater offers space for drama classes and smaller performances. Theater courses offer instruction in acting, costume design, prop use, set construction, lighting and sound design.
On the second floor, the Northrop Alumnae Room is used by students for small group meetings. Younger students also use this space for proctored study hall.
Older students typically have at least one free period each day during which they can meet with teachers, socialize or get a jump on homework.
The Martha Bennett Gallery is a student-curated space that hosts a variety of exhibitions and events throughout the school year.
A staff of college counselors offer students one-on-one guidance and support during the college search process.
Spanish, Mandarin, French and Latin languages are offered from the beginner to post-AP level.
Science is taught in combination classroom/laboratories built as part a recent renovation.
Classes average 16 students, so teachers are able to know students well. Small group work, classroom discussion and individual attention are hallmarks of the academic experience in the Upper School.
The Dayton Library houses the Upper School’s book and media collection. Teacher-librarians curate the collection and assist students with research and special projects.
Private study space in the library provides students a spot for quiet individual or small group work.
Bright, airy common spaces in the library are used for study (and some socializing) throughout the day.
Students can also hang out and relax in the Carlson Commons, which is adjacent to the library.
Faculty often bring students to the Carlson Commons for student presentations and for a change of pace from their classrooms.
English classrooms, the learning center and the Cherne Forum are found on the third floor of the Upper School.
Blake’s Office of Equity and Community Engagement leads, facilitates and supports individual and school-wide efforts that foster a more equitable, inclusive and engaged community. The office oversees Blake’s programs in service learning, global programs, LGBTQIA+ advocacy and support, affinity groups and LearningWorks at Blake.
Thank you for taking the Upper School tour. We hope to see you on campus soon!
Middle School
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Hi! I’m Cyrus the Bear, Blake’s mascot. Please join me for a tour of our Middle School. Let’s go!
As you approach Blake from our main driveway, you can see the rounded exterior wall of the Middle School library. You’ll see a picture of the inside of our library a bit later.
When Blake’s new entry hall opens in August, all parents, students and visitors will enter through our beautiful new front door. The hall connects the Lower School (on the left) and the Middle School (on the right).
The Middle School is a combination of new and historic spaces. It has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including a major refresh of teaching spaces in 2018.
The updated modular furniture and seating offers teachers flexibility in room design to create the best learning environment for students. Many of the seats can rock, which helps students who like some movement to stay focused. Classrooms also come equipped with standing desks.
This is the Link. It’s where the newer and older parts of the campus link together. This cheery and welcoming space is a busy hub for Middle School students to gather and learn.
Students pass through the link, and often visit their lockers, on their way to and from classes.
Middle Schoolers learn independence and time management as they pass between classes throughout the school day. The dress code is casual at Blake, allowing students to express individualism and “bring their whole selves” to campus.
With an average class size of 16, Blake teachers know their students well and can offer individual attention, support and encouragement.
These sixth graders are in science class. Science is taught in combination classroom/lab spaces, where students have easy access to materials and space for hands-on experiments.
Blake offers a 1:1 laptop program to all Middle and Upper School students. Each receives a school-owned MacBook Air, complete with software to support the curriculum. The 1:1 program offers equitable access to technology, student/teacher collaboration and opportunities to tailor instruction to each student’s learning style.
This is a math classroom. Small group work and learning from each other is a hallmark of the Middle School academic experience. If you love math, you can join one of our Middle School math teams!
Ms. Cracraft is one of our many math teachers. All new students participate in math placement testing to make sure they are enrolled in math classes that will challenge and advance their skills and knowledge.
It’s not uncommon to see students outside of their classrooms engaged in school work. Blake students are offered a lot of independence — and support — as they build critical-thinking skills and grow into confident learners.
Spanish, French, Latin and Mandarin Chinese are our language options. Every new Middle School student can choose which language to study. We work to place students in a class that is appropriate to their learning level — even students who come from an immersion school.
Our large and comfy Middle School library offers students a quiet place to read, do homework and quietly socialize. It is open before and after school and is a favorite place for many students during recess.
Middle School students participate in one performance-based music class. We offer band, orchestra and choral music.
Sixth graders take one trimester of visual arts, one of performing arts and one of wood studio. In seventh and eighth grade, students choose from these options for continued learning.
Here’s Mr. Lee in our visual arts studio! He leads a student club called SmARTist Bears that creates artwork installations that are displayed throughout our campus.
And here’s our wood studio where students draw on their creative and critical-thinking skills for a variety of projects.
Students interested in drama are encouraged to join the cast of one or both of the annual Middle School productions. This is an after-school activity that culminates in a weekend of performances for the school community, family and friends.
This is the Bovey, a historic space that dates back to the earliest years of Blake. Today, we use it for presentations, meetings, study hall and other activities.
A commons area outside of the Bovey is used for small group meetings and a place to hang out with friends before and after school. Student artwork brightens up this fun space.
Eighth graders present their capstone project, The Influential, to students and parents in the MacMillan Performing Arts Center (MPAC). This newly remodeled space is also used for student performances and Middle School assemblies.
Our new Dining Commons opened last year. Middle School students have lunch together by grade. Delicious, fresh and healthy meals are prepared by on-campus chefs. (Did you know that lunch is included in tuition?)
We use the gymnasium for P.E. classes, recess and Middle School athletics. Go Bears!
Blake’s boys’ and girls’ swim teams, which include seventh and eighth graders, use the Hartmann Pool for practice after school. During the school day, Middle Schoolers are in the pool during physical education classes.
This new outdoor basketball court is just one of the many places where our students gather for daily recess.
Glenn Field at Gordy Aamoth Memorial Stadium is used for P.E. classes, daily recess and Middle and Upper School sports. Our turf field is used year-round.
The Blake Ice Arena is home to Upper School hockey teams and Blake’s figure skating club. Students of all ages use the arena in their P.E. classes.
Blake provides several different transportation options including door-to-door service and centralized neighborhood stops, as well as one-way, round-trip or a combination of both.
This is the newly renovated Otis Courtyard, an outdoor classroom and gathering space. The Admissions Offices are right behind me, on the ground floor overlooking the courtyard.
I hope you enjoyed your Middle School tour!
Lower School Blake Campus
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Hi, I’m Cyrus the Bear, Blake’s mascot. Please join me on a tour of Blake’s Lower School campus in Hopkins. Let’s go!
When Blake’s new entry hall opens in August, all parents, students and visitors will enter through our beautiful new front door. The hall connects the Lower School (on the left) and the Middle School (on the right).
Parents dropping off and picking up students can drive up the main road to this drop off circle or park in our newly landscaped parking lot.
Here’s where Lower School Office Manager Brenda Anderson works. Ms. Anderson greets students, takes calls from parents and helps the school run smoothly each day.
The Lower School received a top-to-bottom refresh last summer. New lighting, cabinetry, furniture and flooring make the spaces for teaching and learning flexible and child-friendly.
This is the Pre-K classroom, a bright and welcoming child-centered space designed to inspire curiosity and foster creativity and collaboration. The space holds two classrooms. class has a lead teacher and a teaching assistant for up to 15 students.
Pre-K at Blake is a play-based program that puts children at the center of their learning. During daily “work choice” time children explore areas of interest. Teachers act as guides, asking questions, observing and engaging in play with the children.
Parent-teacher relationships are highly valued in Lower School. In Pre-K, parents are welcomed into the classroom each morning. They also have opportunities to join field trips and share their family traditions in the classroom on Friday Community Days.
Just outside the classroom door is the Pre-K playground. Our Pre-K students spend time outside every day in every type of weather. They also go exploring in the woods you see behind the playground.
Each of Blake’s two kindergarten classrooms has a full-time lead teacher and a teaching assistant for up to 20 students. Our small student-teacher ratio ensures that children are both challenged and supported in all aspects of their learning and development.
Blake’s kindergarten is focused on building strong language and critical-thinking skills and the curriculum includes visual art, music, theater, physical education and engineering and programming. Kindergarteners participate in Blake’s Spanish proficiency program, which provides language instruction five days a week from K through fifth grade.
Kindergarteners have ample time in their day to play, explore outside and spend time with their 5th grade buddies.
This is Ms. McCaleb’s first grade classroom. Class size in the Lower School is approximately 20 students with a lead teacher and a half-time teaching assistant.
The Lower School library is a centerpiece of the student experience from Pre-K to grade five. Cozy furniture offers students a comfortable place to relax and read.
Classes usually visit the library once a week to work on research projects and to discover new books to enjoy.
Our large art studio is filled with natural light. Students imagine and create in the studio, engaging the left side of the brain.
Other teacher specialists include Spanish, physical education, engineering and programming, music and theater.
This is the second floor hallway, which leads to our third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms. Each student has a storage cubby right outside their classroom. In total, there are about 260 Lower School students on the Hopkins campus.
This third grade classroom is designed for collaboration among students and close connection with teachers. Four students share a table, switching groups throughout the year to gain others’ perspective and foster community.
In the Learning Center, students can get extra support from specialists in reading, math and other academic areas.
In the Engineering and Programming Lab, students learn keyboarding, simple coding, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
This is the office for one of two Lower School counselors, who help new students transition to Blake and look out for the social and emotional well-being of all students.
The Dining Commons opened last fall. This bright and spacious lunch room looks out on the turf field and Lower School playground.
The new Lower School playground is adjacent to the Dining Commons. Students in first through fifth grade come here for recess every day, and many play here before or after school during Blake’s Extended Day program.
The MacMillan Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is at the center of the Hopkins campus and is shared by the entire school community.
Lower School students use the MPAC for weekly assemblies, special presentations and the fifth grade play.
Students use the gymnasium for P.E. classes and recess if it’s too cold to go outside. Go Bears!
Second through fifth grade students participate in a P.E. swimming unit, which happens right here in the Blake pool. During the summer, students in Blake’s summer programs swim as one of their fun camp activities.
I’m out in the newly renovated Otis Memorial courtyard, an outdoor classroom and gathering space. The Admissions Office is right behind me on the ground floor overlooking the courtyard.
This terrace in the Lower School is a great place to get some sun and watch a P.E. class or recess activities.
Aamoth Memorial Stadium and turf field sits behind the Lower School. We use the turf for physical education classes and recess. This is where bigger kids play sports in the afternoon.
The Blake Ice Arena, adjacent to the turf field, is home to Blake’s Upper School hockey teams. We use the ice for Lower School P.E. classes during our ice skating unit.
Thanks for touring. We hope to see you soon!
Lower School Highcroft Campus
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Hi! I’m Cyrus the Bear, Blake’s mascot. Join me on a tour of Blake’s Lower School Highcroft campus in Wayzata.
The front entrance to the Highcroft campus is off Shoreline Drive. Set in a residential neighborhood, the building and campus are tailor-made for young learners, with lots of land for exploration and play.
Lower school office manager Monica Anderson greets students, takes parent calls and helps the school day run smoothly for students and families.
This is the Pre-K classroom, a child-centered space designed to inspire curiosity and foster creativity and collaboration. Up to 20 students are in Pre-K each year. A lead teacher and two teaching assistants guide the class.
Pre-K at Blake is a play-based program that puts children at the center of their learning. During daily “work choice” time children are able to explore areas of interest. Teachers act as guides, asking questions, observing and engaging in play with the children.
Around the corner from Pre-K are two kindergarten classrooms. We enroll 15-20 students in each K classroom. Each class has a lead teacher and a full-time teaching assistant. This small student-teacher ratio ensures students are both challenged and supported in all aspects of learning and development.
Blake’s kindergarten is focused on building strong language and critical-thinking skills, along with curriculum focused on visual art, music, theater, physical education and engineering and programming. Kindergartners participate in Blake’s Spanish proficiency program, which provides language instruction five days a week from K through 5th Grade.
Kindergarteners have ample time in their day to play, explore outside and spend time with their 5th grade buddies.
This is first grade with Ms. Johnson. Classroom teachers lead instruction in reading, writing, social studies, science and math. Students also share their school days with specialist teachers in Spanish, music, art, theater, engineering and programming and physical education.
Each grade from 1-5 has two classes of 15-20 students. Each classroom has a lead teacher and half-time teaching assistant.
Small class sizes, like you see here in second grade, allow teachers the ability to offer individual attention and support and help build confidence and independence in young learners. Students are engaged and excited about their day.
It is common for students to work in small groups in and outside of the classroom, giving everyone a chance to share their voice.
This 3rd grade classroom is like others on campus. It’s designed to offer students opportunities to interact as they learn and grow. Four students share a table, switching groups throughout the year to gain others’ perspectives.
In the learning center, students can get extra support from specialists in reading, math and other academic areas.
Just outside the Pre-K classroom, students walk down the bright and sunny front hall toward our music and art classroom.
Mr. Woodward is playing the piano and leading 4th graders in music class. Students in grades 1-5 go to music class three times a week.
A friendly dragon painting on the wall leads upstairs to the art studio. Students helped one of our artists-in-residence create this colorful mural.
Our art studio is the only classroom on the upper level. This large open space is filled with lots of natural light. Students imagine and create in the studio allowing time and attention for the left side brain to engage.
We are in the library on the lower level now. Students from Pre-K to grade 5 spend a lot of time here checking out books and getting a lesson from teacher-librarian Ms. Hussain.
There are lots of good places to sit and read in the library. Blake kids love reading!
Down the hall from the library are the 5th grade classrooms. 5th graders spend the year as leaders of the lower school and prepare for academic and social life in Blake’s middle school.
Mr. Watkins is leading a class in the engineering and programming lab. Students gather here weekly to learn keyboarding, simple coding and problem solving.
Spanish teachers come into each classroom every day as part of Blake’s Spanish proficiency program. The teachers provide Spanish instruction five days a week from kindergarten through 5th grade.
Students can play cello, viola or violin as an optional part of our music program. Students leave one general music class a week and go to small-group strings instruction. Ensembles like this one meet once each month.
In the gym, we hold P.E. class. We also use this space for daily recess if the weather is too cold, and we all gather here weekly as a community to connect and share important school-wide information.
Ms. Hechter’s drama classroom, located on the lower level, is where students learn the actors’ tools of voice, body and imagination to gain valuable speaking and presenting skills.
In the cafeteria, students and teachers eat lunch together every day. Buddy grades sit together, and all students are given jobs each day to keep things running smoothly.
Ms. Johnson is leading her 1st grade students back to her classroom. I wonder if they are coming back from theater class?
The Highcroft campus has a lot of beautiful outdoor space for recess and P.E. class. Teachers often use outdoor classroom time to engage students through group activities and exploration.
Kids need ample time to move and play. Here kindergarteners are having recess on the front playground. There is a back playground as well, and grades take turns exploring both.
Pre-kindergarten friends are heading back inside with Mr. Gilsdorf after exploring the front playground on this nice spring day.
I’m so glad you came along with me to look around our Highcroft campus in Wayzata. Thanks for touring. Hope to see you soon!
Life at Blake Videos
The Life at Blake video series profiles classroom projects along the PK-12 spectrum and offers an inside look at a Blake education.
2nd Grade Research and Service Learning Project
Second graders lead research and service projects to protect wolves.
![David Graham social studies Bear Pause Upper School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1598387760/blakeschool/ldwt5prqslequ9ulqab8/DavidGraham.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1598387760/blakeschool/ldwt5prqslequ9ulqab8/DavidGraham.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1598387760/blakeschool/ldwt5prqslequ9ulqab8/DavidGraham.jpg","width":600}])
When he's not trying to figure out what his dogs are thinking, you might catch David Graham ‘85 daydreaming about Grand Marais’ World’s Best Donuts.
![Trophy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1571257359/blakeschool/th4aapdufhgg3fsfsjpr/HallofFame.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1571257359/blakeschool/th4aapdufhgg3fsfsjpr/HallofFame.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1571257359/blakeschool/th4aapdufhgg3fsfsjpr/HallofFame.jpg","width":600}])
Three alumni and one former coach will be inducted into Blake’s newly created Athletic Hall of Fame, which highlights the accomplishments of alumni, coaches and friends and celebrates the school’s sports history.
![applause student accomplishments]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1595272340/blakeschool/zznfdthnmuu10lptnctg/ApplauseSpring20.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1595272340/blakeschool/zznfdthnmuu10lptnctg/ApplauseSpring20.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1595272340/blakeschool/zznfdthnmuu10lptnctg/ApplauseSpring20.jpg","width":600}])
Read about student and faculty accomplishments in academics, arts, service and athletics in the latest issue of Applause.
Our Campuses
Each of Blake’s three campuses is tailored to the age group it serves.
