New School, New Principal and Lots of Community Interest

The new magnet school in the Robbinsdale School District is starting to take shape. The School of Engineering and Arts at Olson will open this fall and offer a curriculum focused on engineering and media arts.

The district has worked on this project for about two years, conducting community research and creating plans for this new initiative. Now, the district has selected a principal and is hosting information sessions so the public can learn more about the school in Golden Valley.

“There is a lot of buzz about this new school,” Heidi Johnson said who is interested in sending her daughter to the school.

“I think it offers students a whole other level of education and that is something I am really interested in.”

At the last information session about 1500 parents showed up, according to the school’s new principal Kim Hiel.

“The information session was so full we had to turn some parents away and schedule another one,” she said. “We’re so excited to see this kind of interest in the school.”

It’s Hiel who is responsible for creating and maintaining a new, cutting-edge curriculum that she believes will excel student learning.

“I am here to create the best school ever,” she said enthusiastically.

Hiel says she will draw on her seventeen years of experience in the district to create a one-of-kind experience.

“This school will integrate science, art and technology in new ways and will better prepare our students for the working world.”

The district plans to accept about 400 students K-5 in the first year through a lottery process, and Hiel says 400 applications have already been sent in. Hiel expects more applications to pour in before the lottery on March 5th. 

Hiel welcomes every parent and student to learn more about the school.