Residents of Apple Valley take pride in the educational opportunities available in their public school district and nearby colleges. Like most Minnesota residents, they have always shown strong support for education. As a result, the state ranks highest in the nation for the percentage of students who graduate from high school. Almost 90 percent of high school students in the state receive high school diplomas. Of those, 68 percent continue on to some form of post-secondary education. Throughout all levels of elementary and secondary instruction, Minnesota's students score consistently high on standardized achievement tests and college entrance exams.

Educational opportunities abound in the state. Excellent public and parochial school systems, private, trade, professional and business colleges, and unparalleled university programs have given Minnesota graduates an edge in the world's marketplace.

The state has more than 120 colleges and universities, with 175 graduate programs offered and 30,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates awarded each year.

Ninety-five percent of Apple Valley residents are high school graduates, and, of those, 36 percent hold college degrees.

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District
District 196 serves all or part of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Coates, and Empire and Vermillion townships. There are 18 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four comprehensive high schools. The district also has a School of Environmental Studies at the Minnesota Zoo which provides an optional program for juniors and seniors and an alternative high school for those unsuccessful in a traditional school setting.

Schools use many different instructional models, but a rigorous K-12 program evaluation process provides a high-quality, comprehensive curriculum and essentially the same basic opportunities. Programs for at risk and special needs students are available.

Programs for gifted and high potential learners combine critical thinking and creative thinking skills with regular classroom instruction. Many subjects offer accelerated and advanced-placement classes.

Many electives and co-curricular programs, including a wide variety of athletic and fine arts activities, are available to high school students. Community education classes are available to learners of all ages.

Since 1987, six schools have been named National Schools of Excellence and four schools have been cited for excellence in the arts. Computer labs are located in each school with a computer in nearly every classroom. Students have access to e-mail and Internet services.

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district provides a healthy, safe environment conducive to learning. People who care about the quality of education the students receive, are guiding the district?s children. Through a variety of innovative programs, instruction is designed to build a strong academic foundation that will ensure the success of every child as they grow and move on to become tomorrow's leaders.

The district's main office is located at 14445 Diamond Path West in Rosemount and can be reached at 651-423-7700.

Higher Education
The Degree of Excellence

Dakota County Technical College
Dakota County Technical College opened its doors in 1970, with three majors and 47 students. It now offers majors in over than 50 professions to more than 15,000 students and utilizes computers and other high-tech equipment. Located in a 500,000 square foot facility in Rosemount, only minutes from the Minnesota Zoo and the Mall of America, the college is an accredited, publicly funded technical college serving students in a hands-on, flexible-scheduling setting.

Dakota County Technical College offers associate degrees in applied science, one and two-year technical majors, and certificates in occupational fields. The college is accredited in several programs, including practical nursing, interior design and sales, landscape horticulture, dental assistant, and medical assistant. It also provides courses in horticulture, business, health and human services, sales and management, transportation, trade, industrial and technical, and visual communication.

The college has several off-site campus locations, including the Appliance Service Technician Program in South Saint Paul, their Training Center West in Burnsville, and the Customized Training Center for Computer Technology at the Mall of America. Its Dakota County Employment and Training Center provides career-planning referrals, occupational training, and placement assistance to those who are unemployed, underemployed or who have been laid off.

Special services offered at Dakota County Technical College include English as a Second Language, and programs for academically disadvantaged and handicapped students. Day care is available close to the campus.

The college, located at 1300 East 145th Street in Rosemount, serves Dakota County and the southern portions of Ramsey, Hennepin and Washington Counties, and extends into southern Minnesota. For information call 651-423-8301.

Inver Hills Community College
Established in 1970, Inver Hills serves 5,000 students, 70 percent of whom attend the college part-time. The student body is evenly split between those seeking a two-year degree and those planning to continue their education at a four-year institution.

The college provides two-year degrees in liberal arts, science, pre-professional programs, and career education programs for students who wish to pursue specific careers. The college also provides community services such as workshops, seminars, forums, cultural enrichment and community surveys.

Student services offered at the college include academic advising, on-campus childcare, a computer lab with motion video via laser disc, CDROM and the Internet. Career planning is available through the Career Resource Center, and the Learning Center plays host to faculty, lab assistants, peer tutors and computer-assisted instruction. There is also a student senate, music and theater groups, and clubs.

The college campus covers 90 acres in Inver Grove Heights near Highway 52 and 80th Street East, approximately half an hour from Apple Valley. Inver Hills Community College is located at 2500 80th Street East, Inver Grove Heights. Their telephone number is 651-450-8500.

Sources: School Districts and Colleges, 1998; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, 1997; Minnesota Milestones Progress Report, 1997; Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning, 1994.

For more information about Apple Valley, please e-mail us or call 952-432-8422 or 1-800-301-9435.

Apple Valley Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors' Bureau
14800 Galaxie Avenue West, Suite 301
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(952) 432-8422
(952) 432-7964 (Fax)
1-800-301-9435 (Toll Free)
E-mail: Info@applevalleychamber.com

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