Exploration High School

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day to honor freedom, reflect on our nation’s history, and recognize those who have worked tirelessly to ensure that history is remembered.

One of those trailblazers is Opal Lee, often known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Through decades of advocacy, education, and community leadership, she helped elevate Juneteenth to a national holiday.

At Exploration High School, we believe learning history is about more than studying the past. It is about understanding the people who came before us, learning from their courage, and carrying their work forward.

The opportunity to learn.
The opportunity to find your voice.
The opportunity to create meaningful change in your community.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom and opportunity are deeply connected. When students understand history, engage with diverse perspectives, and learn from trailblazers like Opal Lee, they are better prepared to shape a more just and hopeful future.

Today, we celebrate freedom, honor those who paved the way, and recommit ourselves to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at Exploration High school.

Congratulations to recent Exploration High School graduates Mel Harris and Brandon Roberts on signing to continue their academic and athletic careers at Hamline University!

At Exploration, we believe success is about more than earning a diploma. It is about preparing students for life after high school through meaningful learning experiences, strong relationships, and opportunities to discover their passions.

Mel and Brandon have demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and leadership both on and off the field. We are incredibly proud to see them take this next step and continue pursuing their goals at the collegiate level.

Once an Explorer, always an Explorer. We can’t wait to see what comes next. 🏈🎓💙

Our 9th–11th grade students presented their Public Exhibition of Learning (PEL) capstone projects after a month of work focused on making a positive impact in our community. Throughout the process, students practiced and refined professional and technical skills including collaboration, communication, research, problem solving, project planning, and public presentation skills. We are so proud of the creativity and growth our students demonstrated throughout this experience. 🌟

A huge thank you to the incredible students, families, and volunteers who stayed for hours after school helping decorate and prepare for tomorrow’s graduation ceremony!

Moments like these remind us that it truly takes a community to create something special. We are so fortunate to have such caring, dedicated, and supportive students and families at Exploration High School.

And most importantly, we can’t wait to celebrate our amazing seniors tomorrow and honor all they have accomplished. 🎓💙

This George Floyd Remembrance Weekend, we reflect not only on the pain and injustice that shook Minneapolis and the world six years ago, but also on the responsibility we all carry to continue building a more just, safe, and compassionate community.

We recognize that systemic racism remains real and deeply embedded in many of our institutions and experiences. Change requires all of us, schools, families, organizations, neighbors, and young people, to continue listening, learning, speaking up, and standing beside one another in humanity and dignity.

At Exploration High School, we remain committed to creating a school where students are seen, heard, challenged, and empowered to use their voices for good. In a time when many young people are searching for purpose, connection, and belonging, we believe education must help students understand both history and their power to shape the future.

We also want to honor the extraordinary courage and unity shown across Minnesota over the last six years. Recently, the people of the Twin Cities were awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their collective courage, peaceful resistance, and protection of immigrant neighbors during Operation Metro Surge. This national recognition reflects the strength, compassion, and solidarity that continue to exist throughout our communities.

There is still so much work ahead. But this weekend, we honor remembrance, resilience, community, and hope.

Our 11th and 12th grade students’ children’s book projects recently came full circle as they visited Loring Elementary School to read their finished stories with younger students. 📚✨

What began as an idea in the classroom became published stories shared with elementary readers in our community. Through this project, students experienced the full writer’s process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, illustrating, editing, and presenting their final books. Along the way, they strengthened literacy skills, learned to think critically, problem solve, collaborate, and launch their creativity in meaningful ways.

There is something incredibly powerful about books and storytelling. Literacy opens doors, builds empathy, sparks imagination, and gives students the opportunity to use their voices to make an impact on others.

We are so proud of our students for creating stories that inspired younger readers and for showing what authentic, project-based learning can look like. 💛

Recently, our Statistics class brought their final project to life through a field experience at SEA LIFE Aquarium at Mall of America. 🐠📊

Throughout the experience, students applied statistical thinking and analysis in a real-world setting while exploring how data and observation connect to environments, systems, and decision-making beyond the classroom. Students also got a behind the scenes tour and learned about various jobs and careers linked to marine life.

At Exploration High School, we believe learning should feel meaningful, connected, and engaging. We strive to create experiences where students can apply their learning in authentic settings while developing both technical and professional skills for the future.

A special thank you to Carmen for the creativity, care, and dedication you bring to teaching higher-level mathematics. Your ability to create engaging learning experiences for students is greatly appreciated!

✨ Exploration High School is now enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year! We welcome incoming 9th graders, as well as students in grades 10–12 who are looking to experience school differently through real-world projects, career-connected learning, and meaningful relationships.

Learn more and apply today:
www.explorationhighschool.org

Tonight our high school students had such an unforgettable time at Prom 2026! ✨🌟

This year’s theme, “Let’s Glow Wild,” brought a night full of energy, laughter, dancing, and memories that will last a lifetime.

A special shoutout to DJ Ricky for the incredible lights and music, our staff for all the setup and chaperoning, and Chef Vance for the delicious food that helped make the night so special.

What a fun night to remember! 💫

This week, Exploration High School proudly celebrated the incredible work of our students during our Work-Based Learning Showcase!

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing industry professionals, mentors, and community partners who dedicated their time, expertise, and hearts to working alongside our students this semester:

✨ Paid Internships with West Broadway Rising
✨ Social Justice with Good Trouble
✨ Interior Construction & Building with Uncommon Construction
✨ Entrepreneurship with Dr. Shah
✨ Fashion & Design with Nakeia
✨ Art & Murals with Leon
✨ Coding with Matthew
✨ Photography with Deontai & James
✨ Culinary Arts with Cieara, Ro, & Chef Vance

At Exploration High School, we believe learning should connect directly to the real world. Through career-based learning experiences, students build both technical skills and professional skills while exploring the impact they want to make in their futures and communities.

From collaboration, communication, and problem-solving to leadership, creativity, and career exploration, our students are gaining the tools and confidence needed to thrive beyond high school.

Public showcases like this are an essential part of that journey. They provide students with the opportunity to present themselves, share their work professionally, reflect on their growth, and engage with authentic audiences beyond the classroom walls.

We are so proud of our students for their professionalism and dedication, and so thankful for the community partners who continue to help make this meaningful learning possible by being outstanding mentors for our students.

Join us this evening for the Exploration High School Work-Based Learning Showcase!

🗓 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Exploration High School

Come celebrate the incredible work, projects, internships, career exploration, and real-world learning experiences our students have been engaged in this year. Families, friends, and community members are all welcome to attend!

We look forward to seeing you there!