Referendum Projects

After three plus years of public discussion and planning, it's all happening! In May 2019, voters approved a $39.9 million bond referendum that allows Eden Prairie Schools to achieve its academic vision. Thank you voters! The vision, known as Designing Pathways, had been a public discussion since 2016. 

Four key parts in referendum decision

  • Transition 6th grade students to Central Middle School, creating a campus for grades six through eight
  • Improve safety and security at all Eden Prairie Schools
  • Move 4-year-old preschool inside elementary schools, thereby preparing more students for kindergarten
  • Redesign classrooms for more personalized learning. A Classroom that provides furniture and space for one-to-one meetings, small groups, large group instruction and individual study matches the different ways students learn today. 

CMS Construction Progress 2021

See the voices and community connections involved in this project.

Transition 6th grade students to Central Middle School

First page of the PDF file: 19-09-18EPCMSCLASSROOMSRESOURCEPRESENTATION
First page of the PDF file: EP-CMS-RENDERINGS
First page of the PDF file: EPCMSCAFETERIAPERSP
First page of the PDF file: CMSEastClassroomAddition
First page of the PDF file: CMSEastStudentEntrance
First page of the PDF file: CMSWestPerspective
First page of the PDF file: CMSWestPAC
First page of the PDF file: CMSEastEntrance
First page of the PDF file: CMSUpdateMarch20204
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First page of the PDF file: CMSUpdateMarch20202
First page of the PDF file: CMSUpdateMarch20201

A large part of the referendum is dedicated to the renovation of Central Middle School. It was built in 1959 and has not had significant renovation in 30 years. Additions include a theater, gymnasium, classroom wing and lunch room expansion. Construction starts this spring and will be completed in the fall of 2021.

Moving 6th grade into Central Middle School would allow those students to participate in middle school. Grouping 6-8th grade aligns with most other surrounding districts which allows a full middle school experience including out-of-school time enrichment activities. Middle school is an intentional program designed to meet the social, emotional and academic needs of young adolescents.

Devetter Design Group Illustrations, not final

Classroom Updates

Classroom updates and redesigns began in the summer of 2019. Every school has spaces that are updated to reflect current learning demands. Teachers participated in training to prepare their classrooms for new designs. Another group of classrooms were updated in the winter of 2020, and more in the summer of 2020. Eventually, about half of all classrooms in the district will be updated. In the video, you will hear from staff and students about their redesigned classrooms.

Referendum projects are part of Designing Pathways

It is a larger plan about Eden Prairie Schools’ academic vision. The focus on personalizing learning include expanding the number of online courses for high school students - which are developed and taught by our exceptional teachers. The high school is working on pathways that allow students to focus on an area of interest, such as business, health care, science and more.