Clear Springs Elementary School

5701 HWY 101

School District

Minnetonka Public
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Minnetonka Public School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 23, 2022

Very passionate and invested teachers and administration focused on what is best for the students
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2019

We love clear springs - a supportive learning environment.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2017

WE LOVE CLEAR SPRINGS!!! We have our children in the English program. Our oldest child is in 4th grade and has had such an amazing experience and is excelling in her schoolwork. Our youngest is currently in the Ready Start Kindergarten program and is doing math and reading site words above her grade level. The staff truly invests their time in our children. Curt Carpenter has a way with the students and it's not uncommon to see kids run up and greet him with a hug. Quite a bit different from my school days when you ran from principal! I'm really surprised to see some of the negative comments about this school. PTO participation is 80-90% parent involvement, that says something right there. This school has high number of open enrollment because empty nesters haven't moved and is most likely the reason for longer carpool lines. There are other options to bus your kids into the school if you don't like traffic. ;)
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2016

The reviews do not reflect what the school really is. The principal is just a salesman trying to sell the product no matter how. If you are an open enrollment, he will tell you anything you want to hear as a parent in order to keep your child in the district, even if is not the best for your child. Class sizes are HIGH.Teachers are average, many of them unprepared.Principal not very strong. Lack of discipline.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2015

My both children (K and 2nd grade) love Clear Springs school and teachers. We started as open-enrolled family, but later moved into school zone so kids could make more friends in neighborhood and also take advantage of busing. School program is very adequate, teachers and principal try very hard hard to get to know each student closer and adapt to their personalities. High potential program is offered to more capable students. After school care is very engaging as well. I love seeing my children study in loved, respectful environment overall.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2014

This is the greatest school you can send your kids to! Principal Carpenter is a guarantee that you and your child will get everything out of this school possible. You know you have a top-notch principal when he not only knows the names of every child in his school, all of their parents as well. Also, you never know when he'll greet the kids in the morning wearing a turkey costume or a gnome costume or many others. The teachers really care about each and every student. They pay attention and don't let kids fall through the cracks. Amazing involvement. Can't say enough great things!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2014

As a parent I cannot say enough great things about this school. From the moment we met Mr. Carpenter when he gave us the tour we were IN! This is the best Principal we have met and it translates into his staff not only in academc excellence but in the emotional care given to all children. Concerns are inmediately delt with and teachers work with you to make sure your child is succesful. If you have the opportunity to attend CSE do it with no doubt. We had to move out of State and altough we are in a great district we miss CSE with all our hearts.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2014

We have one son currently at Clear Springs and another entering next fall. Our experience with Clear Springs teachers, staff, and with Curt Carpenter has been fantastic. We toured several school districts when we moved back to MN and are very thankful that we chose Clear Springs and Minnetonka.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2014

My family feels so fortunate to be a part of Clear Springs. It is a warm, welcoming community where successes are celebrated and concerns are addressed with sincere care. The energy in the building is positive, inclusive, and comforting. Enough cannot be said for the principal, teachers and staff. They create this very special environment.
Submitted by teacher on March 08, 2014

Minnetonka is the most accommodating district to work in! All teachers and staff are very friendly and are the best at providing rigorous and "just right" learning to all students. When my students walk in our door each morning, I am always there to greet them with a smile, and they do the same. This is a school in which I could work until my retirement! Awesome work, Clear Springs!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2014

I have 2 children at Clear Springs and am happy we chose it as our school. We open enroll and feel so blessed to be part of such an amazing school community. From the parent volunteers who put on special programs for the kids, to the teachers and staff who go above and beyond to make sure each child is treated as an individual to the Principal who is amazing, you couldn't find a better home for your child. While the school size is large, it keeps a small school feel with the inviting atmosphere that welcomes parents in. Class sizes are a little larger then I would prefer (21 for most classes through 3rd grade) although I do feel my kids are getting a great education regardless. If you are going to chose this school, I recommend bussing your children home!!! The pick up line is sooooooo long. If you are planning on choosing Clear Springs as your school, I recommend putting your children on a bus. Even open enrolled families can use the bus, just pick a stop that works for you! It is much better then sitting in the line of cars, although I hear that most schools have the same problem. Whatever school you choose, Minnetonka is a great district and I am happy to call it home!
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2014

Unless you are looking for a BIG elementary school, look elsewhere! The grade levels are big, the class sizes are big (and getting bigger), and the lines to pick up your kids are big (huge actually). I so wish that we had dug deeper and talked with parents (not administration) before picking Clear Springs. Minnetonka has become a massive district, and there is no sign of the growth stopping.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2013

Our family feels truly blessed to be a part of the Clear Springs community. The teachers have been beyond fabulous - caring, nurturing and committed to helping our kids reach their full potential. The staff - from the front and health offices to special ed to all of the support teams - are fully vested in our children and always go the extra mile to make our school experience exceptional. Our principal has an uncanny ability to remember everyone's names - and continually works for the best outcomes, no matter what the situation is. If our kids have needed special services, we've received them. If they've needed paras in their room, we've gotten them. If we've needed help working through a problem, we've had listening ears and help making it right. I cannot imagine being in another school. We hit the jackpot at Clear Springs. I highly recommend Clear Springs Elementary to anyone looking for a school in Minnetonka. Our family is beyond lucky to have this great school - and community - in our neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2013

The class size in 4th and 5th grades is higher than they claim on the district website. Classes are 28-33 in both English and Spanish and parents are not happy. My child is in 3rd grade and his class this year is 20 which is great! But next year in 4th grade they are combining the classes to make them classes of 30. That is a 50% increase and I know it won't be good for my child. I think people should know that Minnetonka School District plans to combine all 3rd grades into 30+ class size into the future. That is not good for our kids.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2012

We were presented with the opportunity to move to the twin cities area this fall and after much research, we chose to live in Minnetonka due to the outstanding schools. We toured several elementary schools and wondered how we would ever make a decision. Then we toured Clear Springs. The Principal is amazing! He was so welcoming, answered all of our questions, took time to get to know our kids, and placed them into classrooms that he felt they would thrive in. All of the staff members we have met are very friendly. The teachers our two children have are phenomenal, from their classroom teachers, to the band instructor, art and music teachers and after-school Spanish teachers too! Our children participate in the high potential program and are adequately challenged. I would not hesitate to recommend this school to family and friends. Additionally, the Minnetonka school district offers healthy lunches and morning snacks that I feel good about my kids eating, and the technology is top-notch!
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2010

Schools across the district benefit from large numbers of parent volunteers - they do a ton of excellent work, and Clear Springs is no exception. Volunteers, technology resources and superb teacher standards (good luck getting a teaching job here) make this an excellent school.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2008

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