Friday, January 30, and Monday, February 2, are both Two-Hour Early Release Days. School of Grammar dismissal is 1:00 p.m. on Early Release Days. The deadline for Silent Dismissal changes is 12:45 p.m. on Early Release days. Schools of Logic & Rhetoric dismissal is 1:10 p.m. on Early Release Days. For after-school bus drop-off times, simply subtract two hours from your child’s typical drop-off time.

The 2026-27 and 2027-28 Academic Calendars were both approved by the Board of Directors at their monthly Board Meeting on January 27.

Eagle Ridge Academy is opening in Brooklyn Center (7025 Halifax Ave N, 55429) in August 2026! We are now enrolling students in kindergarten and first grade for the 2026-27 school year.

Do you know a family that might be interested in enrolling at our new location? Invite them to learn more about Eagle Ridge, Classical education, and what we will bring to Brooklyn Center by joining us at an upcoming information session in Brooklyn Center!

On behalf of the Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors, we are issuing a call for nominations for the 2026 Board of Directors election. Please read on for more information regarding the election process.

Board of Directors Composition

The 2026-2027 Board of Directors will consist of seven seats. The Board of Directors includes teacher, parent, and community member seats. The bylaws were amended over the last year to ensure that no single group can hold a majority of the seats. There must be at least one member from each group.

According to Board bylaws, no more than three members can be up for re-election in a single election cycle. To ideally ensure continuity in Board leadership, the Board has decided to offer Sam Sundermeyer (Current Board Secretary) and Elliott Loutsch (Current Board Chair) a one-year extension to their terms, which were originally set to expire June 2026. While Board leadership roles are elected annually and there’s no guarantee that the current Board Secretary and current Board Chair will continue in these positions, the extensions help maintain stability. These extensions have been accepted.

There will be two seats open for the 2025 Board of Directors election. Based on the current makeup of the Board of Directors, the following seats will be opening:

Under the new by-laws, this means that the following groups can fill the seat openings:

The Nomination Process

The Board of Directors invites you to nominate yourself or other individuals who possess the competence and vision to provide skilled leadership for the Academy. Any member of the corporation, parent, or staff may submit a nomination. To submit a nomination, please complete the Board Election Nomination Form. This form is also available through the Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors page. Nominations are due before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6.

Board Member Election Process

Once nominations are received, the election process will follow this sequence:

Nomination Considerations

Please consider the skills and attributes that are desirable for members of the Board of Directors. It is important to nominate individuals who possess these qualities to ensure the Board has a broad range of expertise to guide the school's future.

 These include: A Commitment to the Academy’s Classical Mission and Vision; Development/Fundraising; Non-Profit Management; Education; Facilities Management; Finance/Accounting; Governance/Law; Human Resources; Marketing/Public Relations/Advertising; Strategic Planning

Additional points to consider:

Board members can expect to spend roughly 12-15 hours per month contributing to Board efforts through meetings and assignments.

If you are nominating someone other than yourself, please discuss the nomination with that person so that they are aware of the nomination.

 Thank you for giving this election your careful thought and attention. Participating in this cornerstone of our country’s system of government is an excellent way to exercise and model true citizenship.

Election Communications

Please note that all communications regarding this year’s election will take place primarily through email. If you do not have access to email or Infinite Campus inbox, please contact the school office by calling 952-746-7760 so that other arrangements can be made. If you have any questions about the election, please contact Elliott Loutsch, Board Election Coordinator, at eloutsch@eagleridgeacademy.org.

This article is the fourth and final piece in a four-part Eagle Eye series on the benefits of Classical education at Eagle Ridge Academy.

In the first article, I wrote about the academic benefits of Classical education and why ERA students consistently do well on state assessments and standardized tests. In the second, I focused on how ERA students are prepared for college, not only academically, but with the study habits and intellectual discipline required to succeed. In the third, I highlighted how ERA graduates thrive in the workplace, bringing strong communication skills, perseverance, and character to their professions.

This final article brings those themes together. The outcomes we have discussed: strong academics, college readiness, and workforce success, are important. Parents rightly want assurance that their children are being educated at a high academic level and prepared for the practical demands of adult life. At Eagle Ridge Academy, we are proud of these results.  But they are not the end of our work. They are the fruit of something deeper. The ultimate purpose of education is freedom.

Beyond Achievement to Formation

Academic excellence alone does not guarantee freedom. A student can earn high scores, gain admission to a strong college, and still lack the ability to think clearly, act courageously, or govern himself well.  True freedom is not the ability to do whatever one wants. It is the ability to choose what is true, good, and beautiful, especially when doing so is difficult. That kind of freedom requires formation.

The habits that allow students to excel academically: citizenship, integrity, perseverance, honor, excellence, and respect, are the same habits that allow them to live free and meaningful lives. At Eagle Ridge Academy, these virtues are captured in our ERA CIPHER and intentionally cultivated every day.

This is why our students don’t simply learn content. They learn how to learn, how to reason, how to speak clearly, and how to engage ideas thoughtfully.

A Culture That Works Against Freedom

One of the greatest challenges facing students today is not a lack of information, but an excess of distraction.  Much of modern culture trains young people in the opposite direction of freedom. Endless scrolling on platforms like TikTok, consuming headline driven news from Facebook, and exposure to biased media all encourage speed over reflection, reaction over reason, and emotion over truth.  These forces reward impulsivity, shorten attention spans, and discourage sustained thought. They often reduce complex ideas to slogans and train students to react rather than to understand. This is the antithesis of what we seek to form at ERA.

Freedom requires patience. Wisdom requires silence, focus, and the ability to wrestle with ideas that are challenging or uncomfortable. A student shaped primarily by distraction is not free. They are easily influenced, easily manipulated, and easily exhausted.

Classical education stands as a deliberate alternative to this cultural current. It slows students down. It asks them to read carefully, listen attentively, speak thoughtfully, and consider opposing ideas with charity and reason. In doing so, it restores the conditions necessary for freedom.

Why Classical Education Produces Results

Classical education at Eagle Ridge Academy works because it is ordered to reality.  Students read rich texts that demand attention and reward effort. They memorize foundational knowledge so that their minds are well stocked and agile. They engage in discussion that requires listening, reasoning, and clarity of speech. They study history and literature that show the real consequences of virtue and vice.

This is why Eagle Ridge Academy students consistently perform well in math, reading, and science. Their minds have been trained. Their thinking is disciplined. Their language is precise.

It is also why they are prepared for college and the workforce, not merely because they have credentials, but because they have character. They know how to work, how to struggle productively, how to communicate, and how to take responsibility as citizens and contributors. These are marks of freedom.

Freedom and Responsibility

A free person is not ruled by impulse, distraction, or fear. They can delay gratification, tell the truth, honor commitments, and pursue excellence over ease.  A free society depends on people like this.

Education, therefore, is not simply about individual success. It is about forming young men and women who can govern themselves before they attempt to lead others, citizens capable of sustaining liberty because they understand responsibility.

This is why our expectations at Eagle Ridge Academy are high. Structure, discipline, and order are not obstacles to freedom. They are its training ground.

The Aim Human Flourishing

When education is rightly ordered, academic achievement, college readiness, and workforce preparation follow naturally. But they serve a higher goal, human flourishing.

We aim to graduate students who are thoughtful rather than reactive, courageous rather than compliant, and hopeful rather than cynical. Students who can think independently without becoming unmoored. Students prepared not just to succeed, but to live well.

That is education for freedom. And that is the work we are committed to at Eagle Ridge Academy, forming students who are academically strong, practically prepared, and inwardly free. Freedom is not the absence of limits. It is the presence of wisdom. And wisdom remains the highest aim of education.

Don't forget to purchase your 2025-26 yearbook! Online orders will close at the end of January, and extra copies are not guaranteed.

Join us for a delightful pancake breakfast at Eagle Ridge Academy on Saturday, February 7, hosted by your ERA PTO! The PTO is thrilled to offer a delicious meal featuring fluffy pancakes drizzled with sweet syrup, complemented by a savory vegetable side and a fresh fruit selection. After enjoying your breakfast, stay for book bingo where you can win fantastic books! This event promises fun for the entire family, making it a perfect way to kick off your morning. This is not a drop-off event, so please plan to stay and enjoy the morning as a family.

Tickets cost $6 per person, or $0.50 for children ages 4 and under. Tickets must be acquired by Saturday, February 1, so the PTO can plan accordingly. Don’t miss this wonderful community gathering—grab your tickets today!

Eagle Ridge Academy's Spring Musical is The Addams Family. Auditions will be held in the ERA Auditorium on Tuesday, February 3, 3:30-7:00 p.m. with callback on Thursday, February 5, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Auditions are open to students in grades 6-12; students in grades 4-5 may auditions for the role of Pugsley Addams. Materials, further information, and audition slots are available on the ERA Auditorium doors. Please email theater@eagleridgeacademy.org with questions.

Battle of the Coins is a fun, competitive fundraiser where grades compete to earn the most points and win a special reward! Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and online donations add points to your grade's total, while dollar bills subtract from another grade’s total.

Online donations count DOUBLE, so be sure to label your student’s grade when donating! Donate via Venmo or PayPal at the links below.

Coins will only be collected from 7:30-7:55 a.m. at the fireplace in the Forum (School of Grammar) and outside the Auditorium (School of Logic & Rhetoric). No coins can be dropped off in classrooms.

All proceeds support celebrating ERA’s amazing staff during Staff Appreciation Week! 

The Eagle Ridge Academy Parent Teacher Organization holds monthly PTO meetings to build community and raise funds to support our school. All ERA parents and teachers are welcome to join, whether you’ve formalized your membership or not. Come connect with other parents, stay informed, and help the PTO support ERA students and teachers. The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 9, in the ERA Library, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Join the ERA Booster Club at their next meeting via Zoom on Monday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m. They are lining up some fun community events for 2026 and could use more parent voices around the table. If you want to help build connection, support our students, and shape what comes next, pull up a chair. Everyone’s welcome. View meeting details here.

Select members of the Board of Directors and Administrative team will be available virtually from 5:30-6:00 p.m. for members of the Eagle Ridge Academy community to discuss questions and/or concerns that may not be included in the regular agenda meeting for the month. Following the Listening Session, the Board of Directors will convene in Eagle Ridge Academy in Conference Room 1114 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to discuss items on the month’s regular meeting agenda. No official decisions will be made at this workshop. You may attend using the information here.

It's time to order your annual Art Expo t-shirt! This year's shirt was designed by Eagle Ridge Academy senior Maria Dorland. Order your shirt by Friday, February 27.

Our annual juried art exhibition for students in grades 6-12 will be held at Eagle Ridge Academy on Friday, May 8. Art will be displayed outside the gymnasium, and prizes will be presented for various works selected by the judges during the awards ceremony that will take place in the auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Art will be available for purchase with cash or check. Please enter through the Activities Entrance.

The entire community is invited to Eagle Ridge Academy on Saturday, May 9, for the 12th Annual Donut Dash 5K and Mini-Donut 1/2 Mile for Kids! Whether you are a runner, a walker, or a donut enthusiast, this is the event for you. Leaving and finishing at Eagle Ridge Academy, this Minnetonka route is an accurately measured 5K course, is chip- and mat-timed, and takes you on a picturesque run or walk just north of Bren Road. There will be complimentary chair massages, rock tape applications, DJ music, giveaways, fun youth activities, post-race refreshments, and DONUTS!

All 5K registrants will receive a commemorative 2026 Donut Dash tech shirt (tri-blend, adult and youth sizing), post-race refreshments, and donuts. Mini-dashers will receive a 2026 Donut Dash shirt (50/50% poly/cotton), a participation medal, and a bag of mini- donuts.

Online registration will close May 7. Registrations placed after April 12 are not guaranteed a shirt. All registrations are nonrefundable. To register via mail with cash or check (made payable to FERA), please download the registration brochure and return with your payment to Eagle Ridge Academy. Your participation will help support Eagle Ridge Academy, offering a time-tested, Classical liberal arts education to students in grades K-12.

Learn more about this beloved event, view pictures from previous years, and register now here. See you there!

Skyhawks provides after-school care for grades K-6 students until 6:00 p.m. every school day. Students will have the opportunity to eat a snack, work on homework, and participate in various activities and crafts. Pickup is at the rear door next to the tennis court. Skyhawks staff can be reached at (651)-968-0106. 

Daily Option: Skyhawks offers a daily option that can be purchased online up until one hour before school gets out. Please remember to update Silent Dismissal at the time that you register.

New Participant Promo: From now through the end of the semester, Skyhawks is offering a free day of after-school care for new participants! To get signed up, create an account for your child at skyhawks.com and send an email to minnesota@skyhawks.com with the date that you would like to enroll. 

Eagle Ridge Academy has been named a Platinum member on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll! ERA had 82% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school, 55% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam, and 23% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams. This is a huge accomplishment! We are so proud of our School of Rhetoric and our seniors for challenging themselves to attain their highest potential. 

The 2nd Annual School of Logic Gryphon Games will be held at Eagle Ridge Academy on Saturday, February 7, 2:00-5:00 p.m. This is a day of community, fun, and games for all SoL students, with tickets costing just $5 per student.

Our School of Logic House Captains invite families to help make the 2nd Annual Gryphon Games a fun, safe, and memorable experience for all SoL students. Volunteers are needed to run activity rooms, assist with games, help with set-up and supervision, and support student engagement throughout the event. Most roles run from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, with some roles available in shorter time blocks.

Additionally, if you are able to donate prizes, supplies, or services, or if you have an idea that would be a great addition to Gryphon Games, please email Ms. Christensen. Thank you for supporting our students and helping build a strong SoL community!

The Classic Learning Test’s suite of assessments provides a standard of testing that is intellectually richer and more rigorous than tests based on national standards. Its philosophy is one that matches our school and provides valuable insight into our instruction and practices. It can also be a piece of the college application and scholarship package for many private higher education institutions. The CLT10 for Grades 9-10 is a preparatory exam comparable to the PSAT. All students in grades 9 and 10 will be completing the CLT10 Assessment at school on Tuesday, February 3.

Eagle Ridge Academy will offer the online ACT with Writing to eleventh graders during the school day on Tuesday, April 14. Registration AND payment of $50 are due by Friday, February 6. Note: The exam is free if your student receives educational benefits.

Students should check their colleges of interest to determine whether a particular exam is required. The SAT is NOT offered at Eagle Ridge Academy. Students wishing to take the ACT or SAT on a Saturday at a local testing site can register/pay online.

Register for the ACT at a Testing Location | Register for the SAT at a Testing Location

There is a 14-day free trial at Winward Academy to help determine a student's test preference (ACT or SAT).

There are many fee-based test-preparation and tutoring options available. Below are local service providers that provide in-person tutoring (not endorsed by ERA).

Additional online SAT or ACT resources recommended by Academic Counselor Mrs. Kaiser are linked below.

Attend a Minnesota Goes to College virtual event! Register now for ongoing webinars about college and financial aid - free to students and families. 

If you would like to receive the weekly Scholarship Newsletter, please sign up here.

Pledge your annual support to Eagle Ridge Academy with an affordable monthly gift, broken down into smaller amounts, which makes giving easier and allows a predictable revenue source for Eagle Ridge Academy. Click here to pledge your annual support.

Box Tops for Education helps families earn money for ERA with products they already buy. Download the app, set up your account, and scan your grocery store receipts. The app automatically finds eligible items and credits them to ERA!

Consider reaching out to your Community Relations or HR Department to ask about their community support and employee giving opportunities! Many employers match employee gifts. Search here to see if your workplace matches.

Did you know that there's an Eagle Ridge Academy mobile app available for iPhone and Android? To download the app, click here on your phone and follow the prompts or search Eagle Ridge Academy in your app store and look for the ERA logo. You do not need a username or password to use the app. 

On the app, you can see a live feed of notifications and announcements, view upcoming events, locate staff contact information quickly, review the day's breakfast and lunch menu, access Infinite Campus and Silent Dismissal, and more. 

Don't miss any notifications from Eagle Ridge Academy! Allow app notifications when prompted on initial download to ensure you don't miss any messages.

Thank you for reading the Eagle Eye newsletter and for staying updated on what's going on at Eagle Ridge Academy. If you haven't already, please make sure bookmark the ERA website, like the ERA Facebook page and follow the ERA Instagram to see more frequent updates.

The next issue of the Eagle Eye newsletter will be published on Thursday, February 12.