Mary Autry

Orono Public Schools

Orono Public Schools encompasses 49 square miles of Western Hennepin County and serves all or parts of the cities of Independence, Long Lake, Maple Plain, Medina, Minnetonka Beach and Orono. Some 2,800 students attend Orono Schumann Elementary School, Orono Intermediate School, Orono Middle School and Orono High School, all of which are located on a 120-acre central campus along 2,000 feet of lakeshore. Orono Public Schools follows a strong core curriculum with options to meet the needs of all learners, including a K-12 gifted education program and special education program. Technology enhances student learning in a variety of subjects. A full complement of academic and athletic cocurricular programs augments the core curriculum. In 2013, Orono was distinguished as one of only three National District of Character by the Character Education Partnership in recognition of its exemplary character education program. It is one of many honors that the District has earned. Others include the National School Public Relations Gold Medallion Award for engaging the community, Minnesota Department of Education Finance Award for exhibiting fiscal health and sound fiscal management and accountability, and the SchoolMatch What Parents Want Award for meeting the needs and expectations of families choosing schools.