• October 3: Two-Hour Early Release / School of Rhetoric Homecoming Dance

• October 4: Rockin' the Ridge School of Grammar Carnival

• October 6-12: Online Book Fair

• October 6: PTO Monthly Meeting

• October 7: Board Virtual Listening Session & Workshop

• October 8: Conference Scheduler Closes

• October 9: Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences (In-person) / Fall Used Uniform Sale / Family Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic

• October 10: No School / Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences (In-person and virtual) / Fall Used Uniform Sale

• October 13-17: No School due to Fall Break

The open enrollment application period for the 2026-2027 school year began on October 1 and will run through January 15, 2026. Sibling preference is given if you have a student currently attending Eagle Ridge Academy. Apply siblings now or encourage another family to apply!

The enrollment lottery will take place on January 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Lottery results for 2026-2027 will be communicated in February via email. After the lottery, applications will be processed and placed onto the appropriate grade-level wait list in the order that they are received. Learn more about enrollment here.

The annual Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement (CISA) Working Group Parent Satisfaction survey is now open. Please complete the survey at this link by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16.

The purpose of the annual parent survey is to seek feedback from parents in order to continuously improve the educational experience for our students.

Past surveys have identified growth opportunities for the Academy and served as a catalyst to positive change. In a given year, parents noted a need for further resources for new families. This led to the development of our Gryphon Greeter program, and the creation of a robust year-round event calendar with many opportunities for families to engage in the community.

Thank you for your participation and valued input.

Friday, October 3, is a Two-Hour Early Release Day due to staff data planning. Teachers and school leaders spend Early Release Days reviewing and analyzing student data from interim assessments and adjusting their instructional plans to guide students toward mastery.

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.

Scheduled early release days for 2025-2026 include October 3, October 30, December 5, December 8, January 30, February 2, March 6, March 20, and May 22.

September 29-October 3 is Homecoming Week at Eagle Ridge Academy! Each day this week, students and staff have dressed up according to different themes chosen by the Student Senate. Friday, October 3, is Twin Day. Match your friend or support the MN Twins! View the full Homecoming Week photo album here.

Homecoming Week will wrap up with the School of Rhetoric Homecoming Dance on Friday, October 3, and Rockin' the Ridge School of Grammar Carnival on Saturday, October 4. Read more about both of these events below in the school updates sections.

Select members of the Board of Directors and Administrative team will be available virtually 5:30-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 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 at Eagle Ridge Academy in Conference Room 1114, 6:00-9:00 p.m. During the Workshop, the Board will discuss items on the month's regular meeting agenda. No official decisions will be made. You may attend virtually via the information here.

The online conference scheduler will close Wednesday, October 8, at 10:00 p.m. The master password to log into the online conference scheduler has been sent via email and text. Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place:

• Thursday, October 9

  • In-person only: 4:00-8:00 p.m.

• Friday, October 10

  • In-person only: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

  • Virtual only: 2:30-5:30 p.m.

  • Teacher virtual conference links will be sent via email the morning of Friday, October 10.

If you have not used your conference scheduler account in the last calendar year, you will need to create a new account. Families may request a translator by going to Change My Account Info. If you need assistance with the conference reservation system, please email Janice Gerheart.

The Eagle Ridge Academy Health Office will host a Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic for students and parents during Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday October 9, 4:00-7:00 p.m. Vaccines are available to kids five years and older and adults, based on eligibility. Reserve an appointment spot during the clinic here. 

Please complete the Vaccine Consent Form and bring it, along with your insurance card, to your appointment. Walk-ins will also be accepted if slots fill up.

Come to the Fall Used Uniform Sale to refresh your uniform supply for the school year! The sale will take place in the ERA Forum during in-person conferences Thursday, October 9, 4:00-8:00 p.m. AND Friday, October 10, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• BUY: Shop in the ERA Forum during conferences Thursday and Friday.

• DONATE: Drop off outgrown uniforms in the Main Office during office hours. Proceeds from donated uniforms benefit a long list of PTO events and services.

• SELL: Click here to view instructions. Uniforms will be accepted through Tuesday, October 7, for this sale. Anything received after this time will be placed in the Winter Used Uniform Sale.

• VOLUNTEER: Help us set up, run the sale, or clean up. Sign up to volunteer here.

Eagle Ridge Academy’s Lost & Found will be cleared out over Fall Break. Make sure to check the Lost & Found for any missing items during conferences. The Lost & Found is located outside of the Solarium in the hallway that leads to the school library.

You can never have too many books! This fall our Eagle Ridge Academy book fair will be ONLINE only, October 6-12. Paper Pie (formerly Usborne) has an abundance of beautiful and high-quality books and educational toys to shop from for yourself and as gifts for your family. Please consider a donation to your child(ren)'s teachers so they can build their classroom library! Click here to shop and donate.

• Bookmark the PTO website.

• Follow the PTO on Facebook.

• Email the PTO Board.

• Join the K-12 Parent Directory.

• Make your annual family contribution.

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.

Meetings are held the second Monday of each month (except for the October meeting) in the ERA Library, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

There is no school and the office will be closed Friday, October 10, through Friday, October 17, due to conferences and Fall Break. School will resume on Monday, October 20.

As we look forward to Fall Break, we hope many of you are planning to join our upcoming 2025 Minnesota Classical Education Conference Parent Night: However Imperfectly: Lessons Learned from Thirty Years of Teaching with Andrew Pudewa on Wednesday, October 15.

Classical Parent Night will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport (2020 American Blvd. East, Bloomington). Join us for a social hour with appetizers 6:00-6:30 p.m. and a presentation, 6:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP here today.

Classical Parent Night provides families with a unique opportunity to come together. During this event, families will hear from a parent and educator, and also have time to connect with other families around Classical education. The evening presentation will focus on how to guide your children through their academic journey while raising lifelong learners. Join us as we come together to explore ways families can work toward a shared goal of instilling a lifelong love of learning in your children. 

If your child did not get their school portrait taken September 16-17, they will have another chance on Tuesday, October 28.

Formal uniforms are REQUIRED for school portraits. View Formal Dress requirements by clicking on the Uniform Guidelines buttons on the Uniforms page.

You are invited to Eagle Ridge Academy’s 13th Annual Gala for the Gryphons: Winter Wonderland! RSVP here by November 7.

The night will include a social hour in the American Swedish Institute's beautiful grand hall, plated dinner, silent and live auctions, meaningful program, and dancing with Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment.

• Individual Tickets: $97 Through October 31 / $110 After October 31

• Staff Tickets: $80 Through October 31 / $90 After October 31

• VIP Table (Seats 8): $1,000

Proceeds from this year’s Gala for the Gryphons will support Eagle Ridge Academy’s CIPHER Scholarship Program.

Contact Director of Development Kelly Schiffman with questions at 952-746-7760 ext. 1107 or kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org.

Learn more about the gala and register today here!

NEW DATE: Please note that this year's gala will take place on Saturday, November 22, rather than the usual Friday date.

NEW LOCATION: This year's gala will be held at The American Swedish Institute! The American Swedish Institute is a stately museum, culture center, and historic mansion in Minneapolis.

Ben Montville will speak during the Gala program. Ben attended Eagle Ridge Academy for 13 years (K-12) and graduated in 2024.

Itisha Budamagunta is a School of Logic sixth grader. She has won the Words in Action contest organized by the City of Eden Prairie for three years in a row. At the gala, Itisha will share her inspiration behind the art pieces and her hopes to put her words into action.

Ritisha Raju will perform during the Gala social hour. Ritisha is a School of Logic seventh grader at Eagle Ridge Academy.

The gala’s silent auction is a favorite of the community, filled with something for everyone. The auction will be online only this year, open November 14-23. We are seeking additional support to make it as robust and fun as possible.

• Do you have a special talent or passion? Donate a personal experience for the students, adults, or families.

• Do you have season tickets to professional sports teams or theatre? Does your family own a timeshare or Airbnb? Do you have airline miles to use?

• Do you have access to concert tickets or box seats?

• Do you own a business or frequent establishments that would like to donate a gift card, experience, or other item?

• Do you have connections to other people or organizations?

• Put a themed basket together of your favorite things!

Please email Kelly Schiffman to support the gala silent auction. We would be grateful for the support.

Eagle Ridge Academy views parents and students as integral contributors and active participants in our school. The Academy is most successful when parents and students work together with the teachers and staff to create and sustain the best possible learning environment. We have many opportunities for engagement and volunteerism at Eagle Ridge Academy. Throughout the year we invite you to share your time and talents. Complete the Give Us 5 Volunteer Pledge, then browse ongoing volunteer opportunities and sign up today. Thank you for helping build community!

Join the Eagle Ridge Academy PTO this weekend at Rockin' the Ridge, ERA's annual fall fundraising carnival! From 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, grades K-4 and families can enjoy carnival games, bingo, face painting, bounce houses, henna, a photo booth, tattoo station, glamour nail booth, and crazy hair fun at Eagle Ridge Academy! (This is NOT a drop-off event. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

• Preorder unlimited fun wristbands here for $15 (or pay $20 at the door).

• Unlimited access to bounce houses will cost $5 and 10-game punch cards will cost $5. Earn tickets from games and trade them in for prizes!

• Indulge your cravings with cookies, Culver's ice cream sundaes, AMC popcorn, lemonade, sno cones, and food trucks. Preorder a whole pizza for $13 or pick one up at the event for $15. Single slices and a meal deal (two slices and a drink) will also be available.

• VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED: We'd love your help to make this event a success! Sign up to volunteer here. Most shifts are only two hours to allow families plenty of time to enjoy the carnival before or after volunteering.

Registration is now open for grades K-4 Dance Team Clinics and grades K-4 Lil' Hoopers Basketball Clinics.

• Get ready to jump, turn, and shine on the court! Join us for a three-week dance clinic taught by award-winning instructors! The grand finale? A halftime performance at the first ERA Basketball home game on December 5 where our young stars will light up the floor! Clinics are November 8, 15, and 22, with grades K-2 meeting 9:00-10:00 a.m. and grades 3-4 meeting 10:00-11:00 a.m. Learn exciting new skills, dance technique, and choreography, and build confidence, teamwork, and school spirit. All dancers welcome—no experience needed. Complete the interest form today!

• Have fun and be active, build confidence, and learn the fundamentals of basketball by registering for Lil' Hoopers at ERA! Students in K-4 can participate in six Saturday sessions (November 8, 15, and 22 / December 6, 13, and 20) for $100. Register today here.

As we prepare for the upcoming Eagle Ridge Academy Gala for the Gryphons on Saturday, November 22, the ERA PTO is excited to announce that each grade level will have the opportunity to contribute to a unique basket, which will be auctioned off to raise funds that directly support our school and its programs. Each grade level’s basket will be curated around a specific theme, and we are inviting all parents to participate by donating items for the basket. Your contributions will play a crucial role in creating a standout item for the auction. See how you can help below.

• Donate items: Please consider donating an item or two that fits the theme for your child's grade-level basket. Examples of items might include gift cards, toys, books, experiences, or any other fun and valuable items.

• Monetary donations: If you prefer, you can also make a monetary contribution and we will use it to purchase items to complete the basket. Each grade level will have a specific theme (details below), and we are asking that all donations be submitted by OCTOBER 30 to ensure that everything is ready in time for the event.

Grade-Level Themes

• Kindergarten: Family Fun (board games, puzzles, activity sets)

• 1st Grade: Outdoor Adventures (sports equipment, camping gear, outdoor toys)

• 2nd Grade: Arts & Crafts (craft supplies, DIY kits, artistic tools)

• 3rd Grade: Tech & Gadgets (smart accessories, headphones, tech-related gadgets)

• 4th Grade: Movie Night (popcorn, blankets, DVDs, gift cards to movie theaters)

• 5th Grade: Books & Learning (book sets, educational games, puzzles)

Thank you for helping make Eagle Ridge Academy a place of excellence and community! If you have any questions or need more information, please email Leni at vice-president@erapto.org. The PTO truly appreciates your support and looks forward to an incredible night at the Gala! Learn more about the Gala for the Gryphons and RSVP for the event at eagleridgeacademy.org/page/gala.

Are you ready to hit the court? Middle School Basketball sign-ups are now open! This is a great opportunity to build your skills, compete with friends, and be part of a team that values sportsmanship, effort, and fun.

Grades 6-8 Boys Basketball

• Practices are twice a week starting October 20.

• Games will take place November 3 through January.

• Register here.

Grades 6-8 Girls Basketball

• Practices are twice a week starting January 5.

• Games will take place January through March.

• Register here.

CIPHER (Citizenship, Integrity, Perseverance, Honor, Excellence, Respect) is more than a motto, it’s what we strive to follow in our actions with fellow Gryphons.

The Schools of Logic & Rhetoric hold monthly Pillar Assemblies in which six students from each grade level in the Schools of Logic and Rhetoric are recognized for displaying CIPHER throughout the month. Each student is nominated for a Pillar Award by one of their teachers, who writes a short paragraph describing how the student exemplified their pillar, which is shared with the student body.

Congratulations to our September Pillar Award recipients! Thank you for demonstrating CIPHER every day and for being role models at Eagle Ridge Academy.

The School of Rhetoric Homecoming Dance: A Night in Rio will be held in the Eagle Ridge Academy Solarium on Friday, October 3, 7:00-10:00 p.m. (Please note the location change from the Eagle Ridge Academy Auxillary Gym. Students will now enter through the Main Entrance for the dance.) 

The dress code is shiny, sparkly, and colorful. Tickets will be sold during high school lunch tomorrow for $30, or for $35 at the door. Parent volunteers are still needed to help chaperone and clean up after the dance. Sign up to volunteer here.

Winter Activities registration is now open! Learn more about grades 7-12 Mock Trial, grades 9-12 High School Robotics - FRC, grades 9-12 Girls Basketball JV/V, and grades 9-12 Boys Basketball C/JV/V and register here today!

The PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) for juniors on Wednesday, October 8, is a practice version of the SAT exam. A high score on the PSAT during junior year could qualify students to receive a National Merit Scholarship or other scholarships, with over $300 million awarded to students each year. The digital PSAT is two hours long (excluding breaks) and assesses reading, writing, and math skills. All Grade 11 students are automatically registered to take the assessment. Parents/Guardians may opt their child out of the test by emailing lkaiser@eagleridgeacademy.org.

• PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide

• Parents' Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT

The College Financial Aid Boot Camp for seniors and families will take place in the ERA Auditorium on Monday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. This presentation will provide education on how to complete the FAFSA and its impact on college costs. Join us as we discuss the FAFSA, scholarships, grants, and answer all questions related to financial aid.

Register for the College Planning Series, hosted by Minnesota Goes to College & ECMC, for college and financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families to walk through components of applying for college and financial aid.

• Apply to College: October 7, 7:00 p.m.

• Understand Financial Aid: October 14, 7:00 p.m.

• FAFSA 101: October 21, 7:00 p.m.

• Dream Act 101: October 28, 7:00 p.m.

• Scholarships 101: November 18, 7:00 p.m.

The 2025 National College Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center will take place 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, and 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8. Parents and students are encouraged to attend together. Students can register here. Parents/guardians should submit the Planned Absence Request Form at least seven (7) days before a scheduled absence.  

• VFW Voice of Democracy – The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient's American university, college, or vocational/technical school. Students interested in participating must submit their audio essay, prepared on this year's theme, along with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post by midnight on October 31.

Sane Lane Driving School will be conducting Driver's Education classes at Eagle Ridge Academy November 10-21, Monday-Friday, 3:15-6:15 p.m. Students ages 14.5 years and up may sign up for $420 - this includes the required 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind-the-wheel lessons.

To sign up, visit www.sanelanedrivingschool.com, click on Sign Up, and fill out the form. Contact Sane Lane Driving School at sanelanedrivingschool@gmail.com or call 612-599-8586.

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.

RaiseRight is a gift card program that gives back with purchases on everyday items such as groceries, restaurants, retail, and gas. Buy gift cards at face value from more than 750 retailers, and RaiseRight donates a portion of all purchases back to ERA. Learn more.

Do you work for an employer who has a Matching Gift Program or supports community events as recommended by the employee?

Consider reaching out to your Community Relations or HR department to ask about their community support and employee giving opportunities. Many organizations match employee gifts up to 100% (essentially doubling the impact of your gift to the Academy), donate to charities of choice based on volunteer hours, and sponsor events financially or with in-kind donations.

Search this website to see if your workplace matches.

Box Tops for Education helps families earn money for ERA with products they already buy.

First, download the Box Tops for Education app on your phone. Next, follow the prompts to set up your account. Be sure to enter ERA as your school! Then, scan your grocery store receipts in the app. The app automatically finds eligible items and credits them to ERA! You can even see in the app how much money has been given to our school this year and what products have special Box Tops promotions going on.

Visit boxtops4education.com for more information.

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, October 23.