The mission of Minnetonka’s Advanced Learning Program is to:

• provide programs and opportunities for students to discover, develop and realize their potential as individuals and as contributing, responsible members of the community and
• support achievement at a level commensurate with the student’s ability.

The vision of Minnetonka’s Advanced Learning Program is to develop students who:

• think creatively and critically to innovate
• demonstrate tenacity and resilience in the face of challenge and setbacks
• collaborate by listening deeply, viewing wisely, speaking mindfully, and acting courageously
• consider multiple perspectives in decision-making and in leadership
• seek balance in cognitive, social and emotional health
• contribute responsibly to the global community

Minnetonka’s Advanced Learning services are designed to meet the needs of students who may be intellectually gifted, academically advanced, or both. By having a variety of services—each thoughtfully designed to extend specific learning strengths—we provide additional challenges to students in the areas they need to grow and flourish.

Some students demonstrate exceptional strengths in reasoning, problem solving, and learning. These learners often show advanced abilities to synthesize information, think critically and creatively, recognize complex patterns, and understand abstract concepts at an earlier age than their peers. 

Minnetonka serves intellectually gifted students who demonstrate cognitive abilities in the 98th percentile or higher on nationally normed measures of reasoning and intellectual aptitude. Because their learning needs can differ significantly from grade-level expectations, they benefit from specialized opportunities that provide appropriate challenge, depth, pace, and intellectual peer interaction.

In Minnetonka Schools, intellectually gifted learners may be served through the Wings Program at the elementary level and Advanced Learning Crew Academy at the middle school level. For students with exceptionally advanced learning needs, the Navigator Program provides a full-time learning environment designed to offer rigorous academic challenges alongside a community of intellectual peers.

Children who demonstrate exceptional performance in one or more academic areas. Exceptional performance includes working well beyond grade level and possessing and/or applying knowledge in transformative, complex ways. Academic Extension, Academic Enrichment, Independent Investigations, and PROJECTthink are all programs that serve academically talented students at the elementary level. Honors and accelerated courses meet needs of academically talented middle school students. Minnetonka High School offers an unparalleled array of academic choices so that students can maximize their high school experience, pursue their passions and prepare for college and career.

Opportunities for academic extensions are available at all schools, through in-school experiences or after-school academic clubs and activities. Many students have the opportunity to participate in regional, state and national academic competitions.