The Latest Stories

For some elementary families, the CARES acronym has become familiar. For others, especially those new to Spring Lake Park Schools, it’s a new acronym. CARES stands for Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control.

Over nearly nine years, Spring Lake Park High School’s Career and College pathways have grown to 37 courses across three high-demand job sectors. In the most recent graduating class, 92 percent of students had taken at least one course. These pathways to career exploration are strong, and a project is underway to keep them that way.

Spring Lake Park Schools is hosting a number of events this winter and spring to help current and incoming families prepare for the next steps in their students’ education. Whether you are looking to enroll a student, preparing for a school transition or registering for classes, we hope students and families can connect and learn more.

The school board has approved the academic calendar for the 2026–2027 school year. School will start the week before Labor Day. The Minnesota Legislature has allowed schools to start before Labor Day for the next two years because of how the calendar falls.

The fall season kicked off a fresh year of Panther athletics and activities with countless opportunities for students to get involved, build connections and grow. Panther Football earned its first state championship in over 30 years - a special moment of Panther pride. With high participation across sports, clubs and activities, this fall was full of standout moments.

Walk into any learning space in Spring Lake Park Schools and you may see students on wobble chairs, lounged out on step couches, reading in a cubby or sitting in a space-age pod chair. Movable furniture is helping our spaces be more flexible than ever to support the learner and the learning.

Students speedwalk to get in line for the irresistible aroma of the day’s lunch in the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School cafeteria. There’s a steady stream 11 a.m.-1 p.m. that’s part of the daily school rhythm. For nutrition services staff member Ann Washenberger, today is another day in more than 25 years of serving up meals and connection with students.

“What’s your measurement?” calls Construction Trades teacher Scott Wicklund, his voice carrying across the high school parking lot turned construction site. Above him, a group of students pause to answer, tape measures in hand and nail guns at the ready. Together, they work to finish the final wall of the two-story house before winter weather moves in.

Unofficial results are now available from the November 4, 2025 election. The Spring Lake Park Schools’ operating levy referendum question was overwhelmingly approved with 66 percent of the vote. Four community members were reelected to continue their service on the school board.

In the Intro to Mechatronics (How Machines Work) course at Spring Lake Park High School, curiosity meets creativity as students explore how robotics and machines come together. Through hands-on projects, they discover how mechanical, electrical and digital systems work in harmony to make machines move, think and perform.