[0:03] If I think back to what has stood out to me  in terms of the middle school experience,   [0:08] I would say the sense of community  comes through clearer and clearer. [0:13] We felt very comfortable here,  everybody was very welcoming. [0:17] I'm just blown away. I grew up in another  country and just being of color and being   [0:23] different than everyone around us at school,  but I have never felt excluded, I have felt   [0:28] more included than ever. And I feel that our  culture and our diversity is celebrated here. [0:34] We pride ourselves on creating a strong sense  of belonging. The quality of academics here at   [0:39] Edina Public Schools is noteworthy because  we have exceptional teachers who set really   [0:44] high standards. Our learners have many  options when they are thinking about which   [0:49] coursework is best for them. Edina Public  Schools, because of our size and resources,   [0:57] is able to offer students a variety  of different exploratory and class   [1:02] offerings that most schools are not able  to offer. Students get to experience many   [1:07] different opportunities to think about  what sort of things they want to pursue. [1:11] It has been the perfect balance for us. I go  into it with the confidence that whatever my   [1:17] child needs at this level, she is going to  get it. I just think it comes in at a much   [1:22] higher level than I ever would have  expected from another public school. [1:27] With the really stellar crew that we  have, rest assured that middle school   [1:32] is a fun place that is also academically  rigorous. We feel like we work lockstep,   [1:37] hand-in-hand, with our community every step of  the way to create a really awesome experience   [1:42] for the scholars of tomorrow. Our staff is  deeply committed to the content and to the   [1:47] instruction necessary to help our scholars  be prepared not just for high school,   [1:51] but for college, to be future-proof no  matter what pathway they choose to pursue. [1:55] So we started off in the Edina Public  Schools system for elementary school,   [2:00] we did consider going to a private school for   [2:02] middle school but we reconsidered. My  child is really happy to go to school. [2:08] Knowing that the entire school year she  has been valued, she has been heard, the   [2:16] staff cares about them, the administration cares  about them and they're not shy to tell them that. [2:21] Students need to want to come to school,  we want them to love being in this place   [2:26] understanding that life will pivot and  life will change, but if you have some   [2:29] foundational skills that can carry you through  these pieces you'll be ready for whatever.