Why Big Lake?
High Expectations - Exceptional Results
Big Lake Schools is a district focused on community and innovative learning. Through an emphasis on STEM education & project-based learning, we aim to help our students build thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the workforce. Through strong partnerships with local organizations, we also aim to provide real-world context behind the learning. Social emotional learning and well-being is another top district priority, Following the PBIS framework, we teach and model the five core behavior traits of the The Hornet Way to foster an environment where everyone feels like they belong and are supported.
Our Schools
Liberty Elementary (K-2): Our primary building prioritizes building strong school families, intentionally teaching social-emotional skills in order to establish a strong school culture from the start. We also focus on inspiring a lifelong love of reading, taking pride in our explicit and systematic literacy instruction.
Independence Elementary STEM (3-5): Our accredited STEM building has been recognized statewide & nationally on many occasions for it's innovative STEM and PBIS programming.
Big Lake Middle Schoo1 (6-8): Highlights of middle school include PLTW courses, where students continue to develop essential STEM & workplace skills through hands-on projects. Students are also invited to start participating in activities & athletics, encouraging them to find their passions.
Big Lake High School (9-12): As students' eyes begin shift towards graduation, our focus goes to career & college readiness. Through our unique unique 3Es model, we exposes students to potential career pathways early on, and provide them with many opportunities to explore and experience areas of interest.
Our mission is to challenge, educate, and inspire all students to reach their highest level of achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts.
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Big Lake Schools: At a Glance
District Fast Facts
- Students Enrolled: 3,204
- Town Population: 12,198
- Location: Northwest of the Twin Cities
- 5 Schools: Liberty Elementary, Independence Elementary STEM, Big Lake Middle School, Big Lake High School, and Big Lake Online
- Community Education Offerings: Childcare, Community Education, Early Childhood, Enrichment & Recreation Opportunities for All Ages
What Sets Us Apart?
![students smiling at big lake high school]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706581494/biglakeschoolsorg/vckna2xqknmhi3smk7bh/DSC03304.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706581494/biglakeschoolsorg/vckna2xqknmhi3smk7bh/DSC03304.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706581494/biglakeschoolsorg/vckna2xqknmhi3smk7bh/DSC03304.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706581494/biglakeschoolsorg/vckna2xqknmhi3smk7bh/DSC03304.jpg","width":1200}])
The "Hornet Way" shapes Big Lake students with core values—respect, honesty, kindness, responsibility, and fairness. This ethos, intentionally taught at all levels, fosters citizens committed to these principles in all aspects of life.
![student writing with chalk on sidewalk]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706580963/biglakeschoolsorg/psgsvqmolpqm1hjyphot/holistic-approach-to-education.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706580963/biglakeschoolsorg/psgsvqmolpqm1hjyphot/holistic-approach-to-education.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706580963/biglakeschoolsorg/psgsvqmolpqm1hjyphot/holistic-approach-to-education.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706580963/biglakeschoolsorg/psgsvqmolpqm1hjyphot/holistic-approach-to-education.jpg","width":806}])
Beyond the academics, Big Lake emphasizes social-emotional development for our school community. Our intentional focus on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making enriches the overall educational experience.
![students in front of science display]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706581340/biglakeschoolsorg/vszwkse7q6win38lihzk/stem-education.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706581340/biglakeschoolsorg/vszwkse7q6win38lihzk/stem-education.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706581340/biglakeschoolsorg/vszwkse7q6win38lihzk/stem-education.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706581340/biglakeschoolsorg/vszwkse7q6win38lihzk/stem-education.jpg","width":1200}])
By laying the foundation for essential 21st century skills, such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, our focus on STEM & applied learning sets our students up for future success, regardless of where life takes them.
![high school youth service students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706581878/biglakeschoolsorg/o3cnutkguxqgi6hpvnoq/youth-service.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706581878/biglakeschoolsorg/o3cnutkguxqgi6hpvnoq/youth-service.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706581878/biglakeschoolsorg/o3cnutkguxqgi6hpvnoq/youth-service.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706581878/biglakeschoolsorg/o3cnutkguxqgi6hpvnoq/youth-service.jpg","width":1200}])
The heart of Big Lake lies in its strong community bonds, dedicated teachers, and kindness exhibited by students and staff. We are able to keep this culture through the unwavering partnership with our passionate, local community who believe in the well rounded education of our students.
![teacher reading to preschool students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706200450/biglakeschoolsorg/phswdyrmgr2ntljhim1i/teacher-reading-little-learners.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706200450/biglakeschoolsorg/phswdyrmgr2ntljhim1i/teacher-reading-little-learners.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706200450/biglakeschoolsorg/phswdyrmgr2ntljhim1i/teacher-reading-little-learners.jpg","width":615}])
Our Pre-K & elementary staff pride themselves on providing a safe and nurturing atmosphere, elevating achievement, and instilling a love for learning at an early age. The district's early literacy program, rooted in brain science, aims to cultivate capable readers with a genuine passion for reading.
![big lake graduate]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706582428/biglakeschoolsorg/nzgqqf9eeqykvxo1d1oe/graduate-01.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706582428/biglakeschoolsorg/nzgqqf9eeqykvxo1d1oe/graduate-01.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706582428/biglakeschoolsorg/nzgqqf9eeqykvxo1d1oe/graduate-01.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706582428/biglakeschoolsorg/nzgqqf9eeqykvxo1d1oe/graduate-01.jpg","width":1200}])
Big Lake takes curriculum alignment and support systems very seriously. By continuously & strategically conducting curriculum reviews and creating strong systems to implement new teaching material, we work hard to ensure our curriculum has maximum impact on student learning.