Eagle Excellence

Fall 2023

Oak Point Elementary named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School

Oak Point Elementary was one of only nine Minnesota schools recognized by the United States Department of Education for closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments, helping each child find success
in school and beyond. 

EP Online’s Alice Lee earns chess world championship gold medal

Then-ninth grader Alice Lee, the youngest American female to become an International Master elect in chess, claimed an individual gold medal at the FIDE Women’s World Team Championship and helped the U.S. women’s team to a fourth-place finish. In March, she won the Women’s American Cup.

Eagle football finished an undefeated season with its 19th state semifinal in the last 21 years.

Brett Lobben (‘91), then-associate principal of Prairie View Elementary, was named National Outstanding Assistant Principal from Minnesota.

Our community helped us raise $19,240 on Give to the Max Day to support student programs and opportunities.

Then-EPHS 11th grader Andrew “Drew” Ploof was one of 52 students nationwide selected to participate in a National Swim Camp at the Olympic Training Center.

WINTER 2023-24

Seven EP teachers nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

For the last 60 years, Education Minnesota has celebrated the tradition of excellent Minnesota teaching with its Teacher of the Year award. There were seven EP nominees this year!

Then-11th grader Rishi Naagappan and Srikar Sannapareddy (‘24) took second place in the Congressional App Challenge.

Sasha Allen (‘24), Rohil Garg (‘24), Neha Karri (‘24), Madeline Kaufman (‘24), Siona Kaura (‘24), Nikhil Kori (‘24), Kate Ropchak (‘24) and Lisa Thayil (‘24) earned perfect scores on the ACT.

Ryan Donohue (‘24) became the second-highest goal scorer in the history of the Eden Prairie boys soccer team.

Yash Dagade (‘24) earned a spot in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. 

CMS Science Bowl students Leisha Mekala, Pranavi Peri, Siyona Singh, Swara Sujith, Navaneeth Uditya, Aziyah Presley-Sackman and Eli Pudenz built a standalone solar electric system to bring reliable electricity to a community in East Africa.

Jasmine Garry (‘24), Lisa Thayil (‘24) and Anjali Marella (‘24) were named state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition.

Spring 2024

Eden Prairie Schools named among National Green Ribbon Schools

Eden Prairie Schools was one of only 10 districts nationwide to receive a National Green Ribbon Schools award for reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring high-quality environmental education programming that prepares students with sustainability skills. 

Kristin Cayo’s teaching honored

Kristin Cayo, a Forest Hills and EP Online gifted and talented programming teacher, was selected as a 2024 finalist for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This honor, administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, recognizes the highest achievements of
K-12 STEM teachers across the United States. 

Then-11th grader Emily Oberleitner presented a paper at the Design of Medical Devices Conference at the University of Minnesota.

Over 60 EPHS 12th graders received scholarships from community partners at the Celebration of Excellence.

EPHS Health Office Paraprofessional Keshia Deon saved a student’s life by administering the Heimlich Maneuver.

Eagle Nation donated 545 pounds of food to PROP Food Shelf to support families in need.

The EPHS DECA team exceeded the past year’s record-breaking success by winning trophies in five events at the International Career Development Conference.

SUMMER 2024

Four EPHS students named National Merit Scholars

Class of 2024 graduates Sasha Allen, Neha Karri, Pranav Naranayan and Brian Shi were named National Merit Scholars in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Corporation competition. 

Dirk Tedmon named National School Communicator of the Year

Executive Director of Marketing & Communications Dirk Tedmon, APR, was named the National School Public Relations Association’s first-ever National School Communicator of the Year. He was selected for leading a team that demonstrates ongoing excellence in connecting our community to our schools.

The EPHS softball team won all four Section 2AAAA games and advanced to the state tournament for the first time in five years, finishing third.

Then-eighth grader Sahil Parasharami won first place in the World of 8 Billion international student video contest.

Then-Eden Lake fifth grader Atharv Wani tied for first place in the fifth grade face drill round at the 2024 Math Masters state competition. 

Forest Hills and Oak Point elementary schools were recognized for exceptional leadership in implementing and sustaining PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports).