We start with small classes, curious learners and caring teachers. From there our students encounter abundant opportunities to deepen interests, try new things, connect with others and discover their unique place in the world.
Artist • Adventurer
Advocate • Lifelong Learner
Hopkins campus:
• Early Learning Center (Pre-K–grade 1)
• Upper Elementary (grades 2–5)
• Middle School (grades 6–8)
Minneapolis campus:
• Upper School (grades 9–12)
14 Countries explored on summer global immersion courses
Our School
100+
Student clubs and co-curricular groups
$9.1M Financial assistance awarded yearly
1,320
Students in 14 grades
100+
Arts and debate events per year
9:1 Studentadult ratio
45 Global Online Academy courses Blake students took last year
3 5
Varsity teams
82
Total teams
40+ Service learning community partners
64 Cities and towns where Blake families live
16
Average class size
Mission
Blake engages students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and a common set of values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as community and global citizens.
Commitment to Pluralism
A vibrant learning environment springs from a diverse school community. For this reason, Blake seeks and values students, families and employees with a wide range of backgrounds, identities and life experiences. Individually and collectively, we strive for understanding across differences in an inclusive environment where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.
Values
Our shared values affirm and define us. They serve as guideposts for all we do and connect us—students, teachers, staff, parents and alumni— to each other and to Blake:
Curiosity
We seek out ideas, ask questions and strive to understand as a means to learn about others, develop ourselves and think meaningfully about our place in the world.
Kindness
We recognize the dignity and humanity in every person and show empathy to ourselves and others.
Inclusivity
We foster a sense of belonging by valuing each other for our similarities and differences, forging respectful relationships and helping others feel connected to the community.
Resilience
We persist through setbacks, learn from our mistakes and emerge from hardships with greater adaptability and strength.
Early Learning Center
Pre-K • Kindergarten • Grade 1
“She enters and leaves Blake with a huge
every day.”
Blake’s Reggio-inspired early childhood program teaches students to inquire, investigate and shape their own learning in a space designed specifically for them.
Running fully on renewable energy, the ELC is both spacious and intimate with gathering hubs, play areas and reading nooks. Blake’s early childhood educators use the building and adjacent DNR-designated school forest as teaching tools. Child-centered, immersive learning helps students see themselves, from a very young age, as empowered agents in the world.
Classrooms are tight-knit learning communities where teachers foster a sense of belonging and offer individual attention. Caring adults encourage students to explore interests, set learning goals and work at their own pace to meet them.
Indoor and outdoor spaces are designed for hands-on and imaginative experiences, experimentation and play— the most powerful forms of learning for young children.
“Every day after school I ask for a ‘thumb report’ and always get an enthusiastic thumbs up.”
– First grade parent
smile on her face
–Pre-K parent
A buddy program pairs Blake’s youngest learners with older students. Buddies visit each other’s classrooms and meet for activities throughout the school year.
Upper Elementary
Grade 2 • Grade 3 • Grade 4 • Grade 5
“Blake teachers have an unwavering belief that children are more than capable.”
–
Second grade parent
Upper Elementary is where students deepen their understanding of how they learn best as individuals while also seeing themselves as part of a learning community.
Blake educators create an environment where children are encouraged to be themselves, to be bright and to find challenge and excitement in everyday learning. Beyond academics, students learn foundational skills such as time management, collaboration, connecting across differences and creating long-lasting friendships.
As children grow as learners and as people, they are recognized and celebrated for their unique interests and contributions to the community. At Blake each child is truly known by their classmates and the adults around them.
“Blake is where I became a collaborator.”
– Fifth grade student
Fourth graders learn outside of the classroom through service learning projects, field trips that strengthen academic concepts and a three-day trip to Camp Widjiwagen in northern Minnesota.
“Teachers
encourage independent thinking so students learn how to learn.”
– Fourth grade parent
The Upper Elementary Engineering & Programming Lab inspires children to discover, tinker and build.
“The
Middle School
Grade 6 • Grade 7 • Grade 8
team
Middle School life at Blake is about inspiring enthusiasm for learning while nourishing the significant intellectual, emotional and social development that make up early adolescence.
Across all subject areas, students practice critical thinking, effective communication, creative problem-solving and resilience. Co-curricular clubs, arts, athletics and service learning projects help early adolescents explore interests at a formative time in their lives.
Whatever path students choose, they are guided by shared values and caring adults. The Middle School program— supported by a network of students, families and faculty— empowers young people to become well-rounded, lifelong learners who are able to see through multiple perspectives to understand and improve their world.
“Blake is where I became a critical thinker.”
student
New students are sorted into one of four “houses” when they enter Middle School. The house system builds cross-grade community at a critical time in a young person’s development.
“The Blake program inspires confidence and provides a safe environment for growth.” – Seventh grade parent
On an annual classwide visit to Washington, D.C., eighth graders make connections to their social studies curriculum and experience growth as students and as citizens.
at Blake makes kids feel supported and seen.”
– Sixth grade parent
Upper School
Grade 9 • Grade 10 • Grade 11 • Grade 12
“Blake does a great job of putting students in the best position to succeed and realize their full potential.”
– Ninth grade parent
Students have a sense of accomplishment and pride as they transition from Blake’s Hopkins campus to the Northrop campus in Minneapolis—a place tailor-made for learners their age.
Students challenge themselves not only in the classroom but also in the art studio, on the athletic field, onstage and beyond campus. Faculty are experts in their subject area and outstanding teachers. Required courses are rigorous and thought-provoking. Electives explore specialized topics in depth. Advanced courses, independent study opportunities and global immersion experiences allow for even deeper learning.
As they work toward graduation, students are supported by a dedicated grade dean, advisor and college counselor as well as a team of support staff, specialists and administrators. Students leave Blake well prepared for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as global citizens.
“Blake is where I became a leader.”
– Twelfth grade student
about senior speech, SIAC and other US leadership opportunities.]
Upper School culture inspires students to be involved with school life beyond the classroom through athletics, arts, leadership opportunities, clubs, service, affinity groups and more.
The senior speech program supports every student as they prepare for and deliver a speech to the Upper School community.
Our Teachers
11
Average size of a teacher’s advisory group in Middle School and Upper School
Our Students
51
Curriculum development projects completed by teachers last summer
77%
Faculty with advanced degrees
13
Specialist teachers in the Lower School, lead instruction in engineering & programming, strings, Spanish, PE, music, art, drama and library
38% Identify as people of color
130
Average graduating class size
26%
Receive financial assistance
42+ Languages spoken at home
Blake’s Early Learning Center offers a child-centered program in a green facility designed to spark curiosity, joy and growth.
