School of Environmental Studies

Can you imagine a high school where climate change isn’t just a chapter in a textbook? Right here, at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, it’s the central theme. Nestled beside the Minnesota Zoo, the School of Environmental Studies, or SES, opened in 1995. It was created through a partnership between District 196, the City of Apple Valley, and the State of Minnesota. The goal? To create a smaller, more focused learning environment offering real-world experiences. The School of Environmental Studies isn’t your typical high school. There are no sports fields. Instead, students study the ecosystem of the pond right outside the front door. They learn about everything from paddling to analyzing water nutrients. At the School of Environmental Studies, students are immersed in environmental topics, often working alongside professionals in the field. They graduate not just knowing what to learn, but how to learn. They are prepared for a lifetime of learning and active participation. The School of Environmental Studies even has its own foundation. The SES Education Foundation, established in 1999, supports the school through scholarships and grants. These grants often fund innovative projects that wouldn’t be possible with regular school funding. The foundation’s mission is to encourage innovation and advocacy within the School of Environmental Studies community. It recognizes the positive impact the school has on the world. Think about it, a high school sending students to the UN’s climate conference, COP24. That’s the kind of experience students at the School of Environmental Studies have access to. It shapes their understanding of the urgency surrounding climate change and motivates them to make a difference.