What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

School District 197

Home
United States
Mendota Heights, MN
School District 197

Directions Website

Welcome to the School District 197 page. We are close-knit community of schools located just minutes south of both Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Paul, serving all or parts of the communities of Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, and West St. We have five elementary schools (K-4), two middle schools (5-8), and one high school (9-12). In addition, our birth-to-5 Early Learning Program serves families and children during the most critical early developmental years, and our partnership in the Northern Dakota County TriDistrict Community Education Program encourages, assists, and empowers all people in the pursuit of lifelong learning. Approximately 4,600 students are learning in our schools every day. Our eight schools all focus on moving students forward by putting students first:

• Five Elementary Schools (grades K-4): Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Mendota Elementary School, Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School, Pilot Knob STEM Magnet School, and Somerset Elementary School

• Two Middle Schools (grades 5-8): Friendly Hills Middle School and Heritage E-STEM Magnet School

• One High School (grades 9-12): Two Rivers High School

10/28/2026

Want to learn more about the School District 197 levy question on the November 3 ballot?

Join Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog for our final in-person community information session to learn about the proposed levy and get answers to your questions.

>> Thursday, October 29, 5–7 p.m.
>> Thompson Park Activity Center, 1200 Stassen Ln, West St Paul

Learn more about the levy at isd197.org/vote2026.

10/27/2026

This week's School Board meeting recap report (for Monday, October 26, 2026), brought to you by Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog and Vice Chair Jon Vaupel.

For more information about school board meeting agendas and minutes, please visit: isd197.org/district/school-board.

10/27/2026

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and services. We're sharing quick facts about the levy and why it’s on the November ballot.

School District 197 has some of the lowest total school property taxes in the Twin Cities metro area. For a home valued at $400,000—the average home value in our district—School District 197 ranks 40th out of 47 metro school districts, making it the seventh lowest.

Closer to home, School District 197 has the lowest total school property taxes among our neighboring school districts.

Learn more at isd197.org/vote2026.

10/26/2026

What's happening in the classroom?

Students at Moreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet School are learning to play steel pan drums through a special residency with Pan Outreach! Along with getting hands-on experience playing the instruments, students are exploring their history and cultural roots.

The drums will stay at Moreland for two months, giving every student, from kindergarten through fourth grade, a chance to play them. Even teachers will get to learn how to play! Next month, fourth graders will show off what they've learned at a school-wide assembly.

Special thanks to Moreland music teacher Michelle Edlund and visiting teaching artist Jeremy Kunkel for making it possible!

10/24/2026

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and services. We're sharing quick facts about the levy and why it’s on the November ballot.

What happens if the levy fails to pass?
If the levy does not pass, the district will need to make $2 million to $4 million in budget cuts for the 2027-28 school year, with similar cuts in future years.

Those cuts will include staff reductions, larger class sizes, reduced student programming, and reduced transportation services.

Learn more at isd197.org/vote2026.

10/23/2026

School District 197 is now home to TWO inclusive and accessible playgrounds!

Last night, Pilot K**b STEM Magnet School celebrated the opening of its new playground addition with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Featuring rubberized flooring, sensory stations, in-ground merry-go-rounds and more, the playground was designed to give students of all abilities a place to play together and feel included.

This playground was made possible through community fundraising. A huge thank you to the Pilot K**b PTA for leading the project and bringing the community together to make it happen. We're also grateful for the many families and community members whose generous support helped make the playground possible!

As you scroll through, don't miss the video of PK students singing their new school song, "HEY, PK!" at the celebration!

10/22/2026

Inside every great school are great educators and staff who care deeply about their students and are passionate about helping them learn and grow.

As our community considers the School District 197 levy this November, we're sharing perspectives from across our community about the role public schools play in creating strong communities.

In this week's video, hear from Darcy Huspek, a School District 197 graduate and teacher, as she shares her love of teaching, the resources needed to meet the diverse needs of students, and what makes our school community so special.

Learn more about the levy at isd197.org/vote2026.

10/21/2026

We're incredibly lucky to have the school leaders we have in School District 197.

October is National Principals Month, and we want to recognize our principals for their leadership and commitment to our students, staff and families. We appreciate all the work they do—both behind the scenes and every day in our schools.

Thank you, school leaders, for all you do!

10/20/2026

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and services. We're sharing quick facts about the levy and why it’s on the November ballot.

How much would it cost residents if the levy passed?
If approved by voters, the estimated tax impact would be about $14 per month for the owner of a $400,000 home, which is the average home value in School District 197 boundaries. That is about $168 per year. The actual tax impact will vary based on your home's estimated market value. Because the levy is funded through property taxes, there would be no direct tax impact on renters.

You can calculate your tax impact here: https://bit.ly/4sjXp5R

Find information about the levy at isd197.org/vote2026

10/20/2026

What's happening in the classroom?

At Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Mrs. Benton and her science classes have the opportunity to take the science curriculum outdoors to the Garlough Forest with Great River Greening several times a year. Students are involved in forest restoration by way of planting native plants, seeding areas for new growth, collecting seeds and removal of invasive plants such as buckthorn.

Some comments overheard from the fourth graders:
“All the plants are tickling me.”
“I like to learn about new stuff and sometimes you need the proper gear.”
“The burs are so stubborn.”
“I like learning about all the plants.”
“I found an isopod, I found an isopod!”

Address

1897 Delaware Avenue
Mendota Heights, MN
55118

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://www.isd197.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when School District 197 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.