Schools

Minnetonka School Board Honors Students Given National Academic Honors

In 2002, Minnetonka had just 2 National Merit Semifinalists and 7 Commended Students. The Class of 2014 has 11 National Merit Semifinalists,and 35 Commended Students.

Eleven Minnetonka High School seniors have been named 2014 National Merit Semifinalists. 

These students scored among the nation’s best on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) taken during their junior year. 

  • Scott Bohn
  • Meredith Campbell
  • Brent Jacobs
  • Anna Linden
  • Devin Logan
  • Jonathon Meyer
  • Wilson O'Donnell
  • Kalli Schumacher
  • James Sebold
  • Grant Steele
  • Jesse Thorson
In addition, Minnetonka has 38 National AP Scholars - seven are current seniors and 31 graduated last year. These students received an average score of at least a four on all AP Exams taken and grades of four or higher on eight or more AP exams. Current seniors include:
  • Alex Klein
  • Jonathan Landa
  • Matthew Larson
  • Gurshaan Madan
  • Jonathon Meyer
  • James Sebold
  • Jesse Thorson

Class of 2014 National Merit Semifinalists and the National AP Scholars were recognized by the Minnetonka School Board at their Oct. 3 meeting. At that time, each student also recognized two school staff members who the students feel had a significant impact on their education in Minnetonka Public Schools.  

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National Merit Achievement Semifinalist


The National Achievement Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding academic performances of Black American high school students. Semifinalists are selected based on their achievement on the PSAT scores and—like National Merit Semifinalists—will now move on to be potentially named finalists and be considered for a National Merit Achievement Scholarship, based on an application and their SAT scores. At MHS, Phoenix Kohls and Jason Witherspoon received awards.

School Board appreciation

"In 2002, Minnetonka had just 2 National Merit Semifinalists and 7 Commended Students," said Superintendent Dennis Peterson as he recognized the students.  

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The Class of 2014 has 11 National Merit Semifinalists—whom we recognized last month—35 Commended Students and 2 National Achievement Semifinalists. 

"In September, more than two-thirds (about 34,000) of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. These students may become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.Tonight, they receive a certificate from the National Merit Corporation along with a medallion from the District, which may be worn at graduation." 

Of the 1.5 million National Merit Scholarship Program entrants across the country, only 16,000 are named Semifinalists. Semifinalists will now complete an additional application process to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. They are chosen based on their academic records, endorsements and SAT scores, as well as essays and school and community activities. Finalists will be named in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and ending in July 2014.
 
The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. National AP Scholars are students who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and score 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.


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