SES Junior students' reflective pond and river writings were recently featured in a special Write to the River - School of Environmental Studies Edition.

Screenshots of the new website on a mobile phone, tablet and desktop.

SES launches new website in latest phase of district's content management redesign

Dec 18 2019

This is part of the district’s plan to centralize our content management systems and improve communication between schools and families by providing a consistent, user-focused experience across all school websites.

Opportunities to Learn More about SES

Dec 11 2019

There are numerous options for tenth-grade students and their parents to learn more about SES and the opportunities the school has to offer.

SES students work on building a solar suitcase.

Student-built solar suitcases provide electricity to Kenyan refugee camp

Nov 26 2019

We partnered with We Share Solar and Wells Fargo to build Solar Suitcases to send to schools at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, where there is a lack of access to electricity.

Two female students listening during a lecture in class.

Applications for the 2020-21 school year are now being accepted

Nov 26 2019

The deadline to apply is Thursday, Dec. 19, and a lottery will be conducted to determine enrollment.

District News

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District 196 School Board delays the decision on shifting secondary schools to in-person as COVID cases trend upward

Mar 18 2021

Middle, high school students will remain in hybrid until at least mid-April. An update will be shared with the School Board at its April 12 regular meeting.

A middle school student waves on the first day of school in September.

School Board will consider recommendation to bring secondary students back in person in April

Mar 11 2021

The School Board will consider a recommendation to bring grades 6-12 back to in-person learning four days a week beginning in April.

District 196 Community Education spring/summer 2021 catalog now open

Feb 26 2021

Browse our online catalog and register now to ensure your spot in a class that sure to engage, inspire and enrich you and your family!

196Online new fully virtual school opening for fall 2021 (opens in new window/tab)

Feb 23 2021

Interested in your student continuing to learn fully online next school year? Explore our new virtual school, 196Online.

High School students walking into class on the first day of school.

District 196 seniors will return to hybrid model February 22 with grades 6-11

Feb 17 2021

Revised guidance for secondary students was announced by Governor Walz allowing District 196 to bring all four high school grades back to the hybrid learning model on February 22.

A middle school teacher talks with students during a class.

District 196 secondary students to begin transition to hybrid February 22

Feb 2 2021

Secondary students will begin transitioning back to an in-person hybrid learning model with grades 6-8 beginning Feb. 22, and students in grade 12 begin March 8.

A middle school student working with a teacher

UPDATE (1/29/2021) District 196 planning secondary return to in-person learning

Jan 26 2021

District administration will present a proposed timeline to School Board members at a special meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2, outlining a plan to transition secondary students back to hybrid learning.

Elementary students don face masks on the first day of school September 2020.

District 196 planning for elementary return to in-person learning per state guidance

Dec 17 2020

Governor Walz announced a change in the state’s Safe Learning Plan to allow a phased-in return of elementary students to in-person learning. Details of our plan for elementary students will be shared by January 8.

District 196 Community Education winter catalog now open

Dec 17 2020

Browse our online catalog and register now to ensure your spot in a class that sure to engage, inspire and enrich you and your family!

District 196 School Board approves calendars for next two school years

Dec 15 2020

Both calendars are based on an all in-person learning mode. Each calendar has 172 days of instruction for elementary students and 171 days for secondary students.

An SES student works on a project during class.

District 196 students earned $2.7 million in U of M credits last year

Dec 15 2020

The 768 participating students in District 196 registered for 1,239 CIS courses in the 2019-20 school year.

District 196 celebrates Native American Heritage Month this November

Nov 25 2020

In recognition of this important declaration, we encourage District 196 families to explore the rich history of indigenous people around the United States and in Minnesota.

District 196 students outscore state ACT average that was highest in nation

Nov 3 2020

The average composite score for District 196 students is 22.7 out of a possible 36. The district average is 2.1 points higher than the national average of 20.6

District 196 middle and high school students shifting from hybrid to distance learning Nov. 12

Oct 30 2020

Due to rising case rates and increased community spread of COVID-19, our middle school and high school students will shift to full-time distance. Elementary students will remain in hybrid.

Learning model and winter weather protocol updates for 2020-21

Oct 27 2020

The district has a process and timeline for determining when to shift to a different learning model based on multiple data points and factors.

District 196 School Board reviews calendars for next two school years

Oct 1 2020

Both calendars are based on an all in-person learning model, although the district does plan to continue to offer the 196 Digital Academy as an all distance learning option for families.

Sep 23 2020

Register now for fall learning opportunities. As always, the safety of you, your family and our staff is our primary concern.

UPDATED: Free meals extended for District 196 students for entire school year

Sep 11 2020

District 196 students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch every school day, whether in school or distance learning at home. A la carte items available at school are not included in this program.

District 196 launches with PayPAMS platform for meal account management

Aug 25 2020

PayPAMS is the platform families will use to pay for meals. Meal account balances from the 2019-20 school year have automatically been transferred over.

College Board recognizes 771 District 196 students with AP scholar honors

Aug 20 2020

An AP exam score of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) earns credit at many of the nation’s colleges and universities.

Hybrid cohort assignments, 196 Digital Academy deadline and other Restart 2020-21 updates

Aug 12 2020

Information about the start of the 2020-21 school year, including sample schedules, cohort assignments and an updated calendar, is now available.

MyPaymentsPlus now open for District 196 activity and athletics sign up

Aug 10 2020

MyPayments Plus replaces FeePay. Learn more about the platform, create accounts and register for activities and athletics.

A student washing his hands and wearing a colorful mask.

Child care available for Tier 1 critical workers beginning Sept. 8

Aug 5 2020

Free child care will be available for all district-enrolled students (ages 5 to 12) whose parents or guardians are Tier 1 critical workers. Families must register by Friday, August 21.

MyPaymentsPlus and PayPams replacing FeePay for 2020-21 school year

Aug 1 2020

Remaining balances in FeePay for food service accounts will be automatically transferred to PayPams. MyPaymentsPlus will be used for online payments for athletics and activities registrations, field trips and fees.

Elementary students working on computers

District 196 students will start 2020-21 school year in hybrid learning model

Jul 30 2020

All students will attend school in person two days each week, in A and B cohorts. Cohort A will be at school Mondays and Thursdays, and Cohort B will be at school Tuesdays and Fridays.