Eagle Ridge Academy would like to honor Clare Murray for her six years of service on the Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors. Clare served two years as Board Secretary and three years as Board Chair, chairing her final meeting yesterday evening.
Clare, we thank you for your leadership and your commitment to the students, staff, and families of Eagle Ridge Academy. We value your dedication, your invaluable contributions, your hard work, your sense of purpose, your thoughtful perspectives, and - of course - your humor. You led us through COVID, one of the greatest challenges schools have ever faced, and helped us to not only build back up, but to dream bigger. You will leave a lasting legacy at the Academy.
"I have learned so much about servant leadership and humility. I learned how to run a school with a moral compass and fiduciary responsibility, providing a high quality education to an incredibly diverse student body. It's not easy, but it can be done. I am excited to have Tuesday nights back but am sad to say goodbye to a group of colleagues I have grown to love. I am proud of what we have accomplished and excited to see where they continue to lead us in the future," shared Clare.
The Board of Directors will vote for their new Board Chair later this summer. Stay tuned for more Board of Directors information, including the 2025-26 Board Roster and Board Calendar. #GoGryphons
CIPHER (Citizenship, Integrity, Perseverance, Honor, Excellence, Respect) is more than a motto, it’s what we strive to follow in our actions with fellow Gryphons.
The Schools of Logic & Rhetoric hold monthly Pillar Assemblies in which six students from each grade level in the Schools of Logic and Rhetoric are recognized for displaying CIPHER throughout the month. Each student is nominated for a Pillar Award by one of their teachers, who writes a short paragraph describing how the student exemplified their pillar, which is shared with the student body.
Congratulations to our May Pillar Award recipients - the final Pillar Award winners of 2024-25! Thank you for demonstrating CIPHER and for being role models at Eagle Ridge Academy this year. #GoGryphons
One week later, and the ERA community is still so proud of the Class of 2025! With 60 students, the Class of 2025 is ERA's largest graduating class thus far. May 30 was a day of immense joy and celebration as we honored the perseverance of these hardworking scholars. Nearly half of this year's graduating class (29 students) completed both the School of Logic and the School of Rhetoric at Eagle Ridge Academy, grades 6-12. Seven students had attended Eagle Ridge Academy for 13 years, from kindergarten through graduation. It is bittersweet to say goodbye, but we know these students are prepared and ready for the next adventure. You got this, Class of 2025! #GoGryphons
Congrats to Track & Field Boys 4x200 runners Liam L., Greg H., Birkir G., Brennan B., Arjun D. and Gabriel R., Shot Putter Frankie S., Long Jumper Brennan B., and Triple Jumper Greg H. for advancing to the Track & Field State Tournament! The tournament will begin on Tuesday, June 10, at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Good luck, Gryphons! #GoGryphons
On May 30, the Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement at Calvary Reformed Church. As per ERA tradition, the junior class presented each graduate with a rudis sword, which were traditionally given to gladiators to signify the completion of their training. Speeches were given by School of Rhetoric Art Teacher Emma Conner, Valedictorians Sophia Billadeau and Theodore Hance, and Student Speaker Rayce Shields.
Eagle Ridge Academy is proud of the Class of 2025 for all that they have accomplished and who they have become during their time at ERA. In whatever ERA’s newest class of alumni sets out to do, the foundation they have built with the values of truth, beauty, and goodness will serve them well. View the full photo album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=EagleRidgeAcademy&set=a.1528203144866670. Photos taken by The Kemmetmueller Photography Team. #GoGryphons #ClassicalEducation #Classof2025
TWO WEEKS AWAY: Eagle Ridge Academy is proud to host its 12th charity golf tournament at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park on Monday, June 16, 12:00-6:30 p.m. ⛳ The Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament is a four-person scramble, bringing together community to raise important funds for the Academy. Enjoy an afternoon of golf and camaraderie on the course while playing for a good cause! The event includes 18 holes of golf, cart and greens fees, lunch and social hour by D'Amico Catering, complimentary drink ticket, golfer gift, and social hour/dinner. Whether you are an avid golfer, never picked up a club, or want to come out to volunteer, we welcome you to be part of our Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament. 🏌️ Learn more and register today at https://www.eagleridgeacademy.org/page/golf. #GoGryphons
The 2025 Gryphon Garden was prepped and planted over the course of two weekends with the wonderful help of many volunteers. In addition to the many pollinator friendly flowers planted, we also added milkweed for our butterfly friends, and moved the beds around to grow additional herbs and vegetables. 🌼🥕🦋 We look forward to seeing all of our baby plants grow over the summer so we can harvest for our school meal program! Any food not used by the school will be donated to PROP Food Shelf in Eden Prairie.
We are looking for people to help over the summer by adopting a week to weed, water, general clean up, and harvesting once ready. Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AADAB28A3F85-57095663-gryphon to sign up for your week. The Gryphon Garden is a community garden – we welcome all to help. Thank you! #GoGryphons #Giveus5 #VolunteerERA
Our Schools of Logic & Rhetoric scholars finished their 2024-25 school year today! Thank you to Principal Pelofske and Principal Johnson, Assistant Principal Madigan and Assistant Principal Ali, our incredible teachers and staff members, and our students and families for another great year. Thank you as well to the Eagle Ridge Academy PTO and our wonderful parent volunteers for helping our scholars celebrate with popsicles! Enjoy your summer, grades 5-12 Gryphons. ☀️
The 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. this evening. A ticket will be REQUIRED to attend the commencement ceremony. There will be no open seating available without a ticket due to space constraints. If you are not able to obtain a ticket from a senior, you may watch a livestream of the event on Eagle Ridge Academy's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@eagleridgeacademy. #GoGryphons
Last week, families were invited to a ceremony celebrating our School of Logic eighth graders moving up to the School of Rhetoric. During the ceremony, Principal Mr. Pelofske and English Teacher Mr. Sopkowiak gave excellent speeches. After school, students were invited to stay, socialize, play games, and celebrate. Thank you to the team of parents that planned this special event to mark the achievement of our School Logic students!
"High school is just as transformative as middle school, however, I have never taught a class of eighth graders more ready and capable than you. Every single one of you will succeed and rise up, because I've seen it. We have seen it," shared Mr. Sopkowiak. One more day until you're officially School of Rhetoric students, eighth graders! The last day of school for grades 5-12 is Friday, May 30. Tomorrow is a half day with an 11:00 a.m. dismissal. Free dress is allowed for all students. #GoGryphons
Our School of Grammar scholars finished their 2024-25 school year today! Thank you to Principal Mellgren, Assistant Principal Clinger, our incredible teachers and staff members, and our students and families for another great year. Thank you as well to the Eagle Ridge Academy PTO and our wonderful parent volunteers for organizing today's celebrations! Enjoy your summer, grades K-4 Gryphons. ☀️ As a reminder, the last day of school for grades 5-12 is Friday, May 30. #GoGryphons
As a reminder, there is no school and the office will be closed Monday, May 26, due to Memorial Day. School will resume on Tuesday, May 27. Eagle drawings by Ms. Kurlander's first grade class. #GoGryphons
Eagle Ridge Academy and the International School of Minnesota hosted the annual Gryphon Husky Invitational for middle school Track & Field on May 17. More than 200 athletes participated in this year's meet. Thank you to the coaches and parent volunteers that made this event happen and congratulations on another great season, Gryphons!
View invitational results here: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/595929/results.
Watch a video montage of the invitational here: https://youtu.be/NezoGEvm7Yw?si=X0vcFv4uH7RMW_Zt.
Looking for a way to celebrate ERA activities or to get more involved? Join the ERA Booster Club at their Social Hour + Meeting with elections at Tuttle's Eat, Bowl, Play TODAY beginning at 4:00 p.m. The whole community is invited! #GoGryphons
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) runs computer science programming contests for students around the world. Thousands of students from over 20 countries take part each year, and top students are invited to the Finals. ERA Computer Programming Club students participated and completed four contests in the lead up to Finals this year. Congratulations to eighth grader Sai P. (pictured back middle with ERA jacket) and eleventh grader Laki P. (pictured front middle), who have been selected to compete in the ACSL Invitational Finals this Saturday, May 24! Great job this season, Computer Programming Club students, and good luck to Sai and Laki this weekend! #GoGryphons
During assemblies last week, the Schools of Logic & Rhetoric celebrated the recipients of this year’s Activities Awards. Awardees were chosen by their coaches and advisors and accepted their award from Activities Director Kris Babler in front of their school.
Special shout out to this year’s all-around award winners Victoria W. (Challenger Award), Hanad M. (Foundational Award), Theo H. (Dynamo Award), and Oliver K. (Senior Student Athlete Award). Congratulations, Gryphons! #GoGryphons
Eagle Ridge Academy celebrated the Class of 2025 at the annual Senior Breakfast and Awards Ceremony on May 14. After presenting Pins of Perseverance to the 28 students who have completed the Schools of Logic and Rhetoric (Grades 6-12) at Eagle Ridge Academy, School of Rhetoric Principal Mrs. Johnson presented Stoles of Strength and Truth to the seven students who have attended Eagle Ridge Academy for 13 years, from kindergarten through graduation.
The following scholarships, awards, and honors were also presented to the Class of 2025:
Valedictorians: Sophia B. and Theodore H.
Salutatorian: Sierra F.
Legacy Scholarship (Representing the Pillar of Excellence - Funded by ERA Board of Directors and FERA Board of Directors and awarded for leaving a "legacy" at Eagle Ridge Academy. This student will have excelled in academics, service, leadership, character, and presence within the school. The "legacy" student is one whose presence is missed long after they leave Eagle Ridge Academy due to the contributions they made while they were here.): Sophia B.
Marilyn R. Strand Scholarship (Representing the Pillar of Respect - Funded by ERA employees and awarded to the student who embodies the values and spirit of Marilyn R. Strand. Marilyn was an employee of Eagle Ridge Academy who was known for her love for others and genuine joy she possessed. She led with a servant’s heart both in the Eagle Ridge Academy and outside community. Intuitive to other’s feeling and needs, she made everyone she met feel valued and loved in her presence.): Sahra M.
Fine Arts Scholarship (Representing the Pillar of Perseverance - Funded by the ERA community and corporate friends and awarded to a student pursuing post-secondary studies in the fine arts [visual arts or performing arts.]): Susanna G.
Gus the Gryphon Community Service Scholarship (Representing the Pillar of Citizenship - Funded by ERA PTO and awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to serving Eagle Ridge Academy and will continue to use their skills and passion to drive social change, making a lasting difference in the communities they serve.): Sophia B.
Director's Award (Awarded for personifying, typifying, symbolizing, and representing one or all of the ERA pillars.): Kiefer L.
Athens Award (Awarded for academic excellence and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.): Sophia B.
American Spirit Award (Awarded to the student who embodies the principles of our country’s founding fathers and excels academically.): Oliver K.
Student Athlete Award: (Awarded to a student that exhibits excellence in the classroom and the arena.): Oliver K.
Eagle Award (Awarded to the student who consistently demonstrates the Academy’s core values of citizenship, integrity, perseverance, honor, excellence, and respect.): Helen B.
Congratulations, seniors -- we are so proud of you!
This year's Junior and Senior Prom, "The Masquerade Ball", was held at the Chaska Event Center on May 10. Seniors Oliver K. (right) and Victoria W. (second from right) were crowned Prom King and Queen, and juniors Chris A. (left) and Olivia K. (second from left) were crowned Prom Prince and Princess. 👑 Thank you to the Prom Planning Committee and our staff and parent volunteers for organizing this celebration for our students! #GoGryphons
Good luck to ERA Robotics team #6749 the tERAbytes as they compete in the State Tournament at Concordia University in St. Paul TODAY!
Parking and admission to the tournament is free, and the community is invited to go cheer on the team throughout the day. Watching competitions and touring the “pits” (team workshop areas) is fun for all ages! Please note that this is NOT a quiet engineering contest – beyond watching robots compete, there is music, mascots, video boards, themed costumes, and more. You must have closed-toe shoes to tour the pits. Can't make it to St. Paul today? Stream the tournament via NSPN.TV: https://nspn.tv/MSHSL/GameStream/27317.
After opening ceremonies at 8:15 a.m., every team will compete regularly between 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., the four top ranked teams pick their partners for the championships. After that point, more than half of the teams will be done competing. You got this, tERAbytes! #GoGryphons
Enjoy this sneak peek at the art that will be on view at the 17th Annual Art Xpo TONIGHT! 🖼️ Our annual juried art exhibition for students in grades 5-12 will be held at Eagle Ridge Academy beginning at 6:30 p.m. Art will be displayed outside the gymnasium and available for purchase with cash or check. Prizes will be presented for various works selected by the judges during the 7:00 p.m. awards ceremony in the Auditorium. Please enter through the Activities Entrance. #GoGryphons
Thank you, Eagle Ridge Academy teachers, for supporting our students daily and ensuring that they achieve their highest academic potential. While the PTO showered teachers and staff with appreciation at the end of February (when the weather was a lot bleaker!), students were encouraged to give thanks to their teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, sharing the impact their teachers have made on them throughout their educational journey.
We hope all Gryphons reached out to a teacher this week who has made a difference in their lives. We are constantly inspired by the spectacular teachers at the Academy and know that they aren't just teaching academic lessons, they are teaching life lessons. If you haven't already, it is never too late to #ThankATeacher! #GoGryphons
The School of Logic started the "Million Words Challenge" for 5th-8th grade students at the beginning of this school year. During the challenge, students kept track of the books they read during the year, with the goal to reach at least one million words read! 📚
Students who achieved this goal were invited to a celebration in the school library today with ice creams, games, and fun. Extraordinary job, readers! We hope you'll keep adding to your word count over the summer. #GoGryphons
