School District 197

Directions Website

School District 197 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

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and ...
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

What's happening in the classroom? At Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Mrs. Benton and her science classes have the...
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!”

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and ...
10/16/2026

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 would the levy fund?
The levy would fund existing district expenses that are eligible under state law, including safety and security, textbooks and teaching materials, utilities, and school transportation vehicles. The levy would *not* fund new buildings, major construction, or new or expanded programs.

Learn more at isd197.org/vote2026.

Reminder: There is no school Thursday, October 15 through Friday, October 16, for MEA Break.Classes resume on Monday, Oc...
10/14/2026

Reminder: There is no school Thursday, October 15 through Friday, October 16, for MEA Break.

Classes resume on Monday, October 19. Enjoy your long weekend, and we'll see you back next week!

Each month, the school board recognizes students, staff, and community members for their achievements, service, and cont...
10/14/2026

Each month, the school board recognizes students, staff, and community members for their achievements, service, and contributions to our schools. At this month’s meeting, the board recognized:

Heritage E-Stem Magnet School Mariachi Band: Led by Cristela Koski, students in grades 5-8 share their music at school and community events throughout the year. The group also performed for the School Board! Watch their performance below.

Two Rivers High School National Merit Students: Adam Hauth and Grant Jedlicka were named National Merit Semifinalists, and Archer Jedlicka was named a Commended Student for their outstanding PSAT scores.

Stacie O’Leary: Recently retired after 22 years with School District 197, Stacie received a national G.R.I.T. Award from the National School-Based Health Alliance for her leadership in establishing Warrior Care, the school-based health center at Two Rivers High School.

Thompson Park Activity Center Staff: Tim Johnson and Brenda Myran were recognized for their work leading programs for adults ages 55 and older through a partnership between District 197 Community Education, the City of West St. Paul, and Dakota County.

Thank you to all of this month’s honorees for the many ways you contribute to our schools and community!

10/13/2026

Strong schools help sustain strong local economies. They prepare students for the workforce, support local businesses, and create opportunities for the next generation.

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 Jim Probst of the South Robert Street Business Association, a School District 197 alum and Two Rivers volunteer, about the important role strong schools play in supporting local businesses.

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

10/13/2026

This week's School Board meeting recap report (for Monday, October 12, 2026), brought to you by Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog and Board Director Marcus Hill.

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

Today we recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. School District 197 is located on traditional and contemporary ...
10/12/2026

Today we recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. School District 197 is located on traditional and contemporary land of the Dakota people that was taken during the Dakota Removal Act of 1863, which resulted in the exile of Dakota people from the state of Minnesota. School District 197 is committed to acknowledging and honoring the Indigenous cultures that are a part of our community as well as supporting the ongoing efforts to recognize and advocate for Native American students, families, and community members. We look forward to sharing more about our Native community and how we honor them during Native American Heritage Month in November.

What's happening in the classroom? Two Rivers High School students in the TriDistrict CAPS Healthcare program joined stu...
10/10/2026

What's happening in the classroom?

Two Rivers High School students in the TriDistrict CAPS Healthcare program joined students from Simley and South St. Paul high schools for a visit to the Regions Hospital Simulation Center this week. Students learned about the variety of healthcare positions available when they enter the workforce, including many roles currently facing shortages, as well as the education needed to enter them.

Students toured the pharmacy and radiology departments. Teams of students also worked together on an escape room-style activity where they practiced skills they would need in a hospital, like fitting a tourniquet, intubating a patient, and measuring injectable medicines.

The teams joined together to test their newly learned skills in an operating room crisis simulation. They treated Frankenstein (or Frank) using the skills they learned in registered nursing, respiratory therapy, radiology, and pharmacology.

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and ...
10/09/2026

This fall, voters will decide whether to approve a School District 197 levy to help maintain our schools, programs, and services. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing quick facts about the levy and why it’s on the November ballot.

What has the district already done to address the budget gap?
Before bringing a levy question to voters, School District 197 made more than $3.2 million in budget cuts over the last two years, with nearly all of those reductions representing permanent, structural changes rather than one-time fixes. For the 2026-27 school year, the district reduced spending by $2.55 million, including $1.73 million in position reductions. The district has also kept administrative costs low. District administrative spending accounts for about 2.7% of the district's total budget, compared with the state average of 5%.

Learn more at isd197.org/vote2026.

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

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.

Shortcuts

Share

Category