Whole-Student Development

Hilltop Kindness AwardsCore Life Skills 
Inver Grove Heights Schools is committed to preparing students for academic, professional, and personal success. Every grade has core life skills built into their learning so students graduate with the tools to effectively handle daily challenges, make informed decisions, build positive relationships, and become excellent employees and citizens.


Grade-Level Transition Programs
Transitioning from elementary school to middle school and middle school to high school can be overwhelming for many students. That's why Inver Grove Heights Middle School and Simley High School train older students in their schools to mentor incoming students as part of the WEB and LINK Leaders programs. Leaders welcome incoming students on their first day and help students navigate their first year of the new school. IGH Middle School 8th graders also take the Spartan Pathways course during second trimester to prepare them for high school. Spartan Pathways introduces students to high school registration and helps them make a plan for their next four years to ensure success in high school and beyond.

Atheneum 4th graders teach Advisory Council students about STEAMMISD 199 Student Advisory Council
Inver Grove Heights Schools staff members select 4th-, 7th-, and 11th-grade students to give their perspective on district decisions as part of the ISD 199 Student Advisory Council. Past topics have included everything from how to increase student engagement in the classroom to a taste test of potential cafeteria menu items. Once the council concludes for the school year, students use what they learned as council members to be leaders during their last year in elementary, middle, and high school.

Mindfulness
Inver Grove Heights Middle School provides students an opportunity to practice mindfulness each school day. Students are taught mindfulness strategies that help them manage emotions, calm their bodies, and increase concentration so they can effectively learn. They are prompted before their first class starts and after lunch to use their mindfulness strategies to refocus on learning.

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
Every ISD 199 school uses Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to develop students personally as well as academically. The system seeks to set expectations, encourage positive behaviors, and prevent unwanted behaviors. Our schools put PBIS into practice with tools like Spartan Tickets, which students earn for being safe, respectful, and responsible. Students who earn enough Spartan Tickets can choose rewards like a school spirit water bottle for high school students or a chance to do morning announcements for elementary students. Tools also include good news calls when a student calls their parent with the principal to tell them about an outstanding assignment, a kind deed, or progress in class.

Salem Hills Water FairService Learning
Each of our schools does multiple service learning projects each year to develop students as productive citizens. Students also develop their problem-solving skills and apply them to real-world issues. Annual service projects include raising funds for social services organizations, collecting and packaging food for local food shelves, and educating others about ways to protect the environment.