Located within school district 276, Minnetonka offers many public and private schooling options. The district hosts a preschool, six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The mission of the Minnetonka School District is to provide a community that transcends traditional definitions of excellence and to ensure all students envision and pursue their highest aspirations while serving the greater good. The Minnetonka School District is among the highest performing school districts in Minnesota and the nation. The district also graduates 97 percent of its students and 91 percent are college-bound. The Class of 2014 posted a Minnetonka all-time record high average ACT Score of 26.5 and 70 percent of seniors took at least one AP or IB class.

The local Montessori School, Minnetonka Montessori, has been serving the district for fifty-two years. It is a successful, non-profit, parent-run school with a staff and the board that work together to provide a Montessori environment where early education is preserved allowing children to realize their potential.

One of the local elementary schools is Clear Springs. The goal for Clear Springs is to serve the social, emotional and academic needs of every single student. This school was one of the “Reward Schools” named by the Minnesota Department of Education in 2014.

One of the private school options for local families in Minnetonka that would like an integration of faith and learning is Minnetonka Christian Academy. The entire staff at the school is determined to helping students discover their highest potential in a safe and healthy atmosphere.

Minnetonka High School is a high-performing high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. The high school is the only one is the district and has been recognized as one of the Best High Schools in America by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, and the Washington Post. It was even named the best high school in Minnesota according to Niche Rankings in 2015 The school enrolls about 3,000 students and is one of the few high schools in the west metro area providing a complete High School Math sequence. The school also offers almost thirty Advanced Placement and Preparatory courses. Minnetonka High School values participation in their athletic and arts programs. Their most successful sports program is football, which has been successful in the conference in recent years.

With over 50 parks, beaches, and trails located within its city limits, the city of Minnetonka, Minnesota has a wealth of natural places for its residents to explore. This abundance of natural beauty not only provides entertainment and enjoyment for the residents, but it is part of an active effort by the city to protect and provide both recreational and natural areas within the city. Some of the most popular locations include:

Gray’s Bay Marina: While Minnetonka shares it’s name with the famous Lake Minnetonka, the only geographic connection that it has to the great lake is in Gray’s Bay. Located in the Gray’s Bay is the Gray’s Bay Marina. This marina provides boating access for the city, and connects it to the vibrant and active Lake Minnetonka community.

Shady Oak Beach: One of the most popular summer destinations for families, Shady Oak beach features 76 feet of sandy beachfront, a water play area, a high dive, sand volleyball courts, concessions, bathroom facilities, and a canoe rental. While it is not free, it is a wonderful destination for a beautiful summer day.

Lone Lake Park: Lone Lake Park is a 146-acre community park that features tennis and basketball courts, athletic fields, horseshoes, picnic shelters and play areas, as well as a natural open space. In addition to views of Lone Lake from the shore and dock there are nearly two miles of formal trails, including a 1.2-mile loop that offers scenic views including wetlands, woodlands, and prairies.

Civic Center Park: The Civic Center Park is located along Minnehaha Creek and is home to Minnetonka city hall, the community center, police and fire stations, two ice arenas, and several community events. It also features a football and soccer field, biking and walking trails, and a picnic area. The unique location of this park coupled with its strong amenities result in a great overall experience and contribute to its frequent use as a community gathering location.

Purgatory Park: The largest of Minnetonka’s community parks at 155 acres, Purgatory Park offers its visitors views of Purgatory Creek, expansive open spaces and extensive trails. This natural preservation features beautiful wildlife from a variety of habitats.

Lake Minnetonka is the host of some of the most beautiful houses in the state of Minnesota. As the tenth largest lake, and easily the busiest and most heavily accessed body of water in the state, Lake Minnetonka is widely-renowned for its scenic shores and vibrant community. It has over 14,000 acres of water surface, 11 miles at its widest length across, and more than 100 miles of shoreline. The average depth level in the lake is 30 feets, and the ice gets about 25 inches thick in the winter months. Despite the metro location, Lake Minnetonka is rated one of the finest, most consistent fish producing lakes in the state. The locals in the area of Lake Minnetonka are testaments to the rich community that it provides. On any given summer day, the lake will be teaming with activity, and community events take place year-round.

Lake Minnetonka holds valuable historical significance for the state of Minnesota. From the time it was first discovered by settlers, through its glory days of tourism, and up until today, the lake has provided countless amenities for Minnesota’s residents. It is important to understand the history of the lake in order to fully appreciate what it has become today.

Over the years, there have been many iconic homes that have been built around the lake by some of Minnesota’s most well-known families. Many of these homes are over a century old. Ranging in styles from quaint to extravagant, these homes can be appreciated today while cruising around the lake’s shoreline. Some of the most expensive and luxurious homes in Minnesota are found on Lake Minnetonka’s shores.

In addition to its community, history, and iconic homes, Lake Minnetonka provides a plethora of bays, beaches, and marinas. For families interested in a place to dock their boat, or a spot to take the family for a summer swim, Lake Minnetonka is the perfect place to enjoy aquatic recreation. The sheer number of aquatic amenities sets Lake Minnetonka apart from the other Minnesota lakes. It is this incredible wealth of activity that truly makes living on Lake Minnetonka so desirable