Edina High School stands at a crossroads, representing the challenges and opportunities of fostering a strong, inclusive school culture in a community and nation undergoing rapid demographic and social changes. It’s an ongoing commitment that requires effort from students, staff, and administrators alike to ensure that every student feels seen, valued, and connected. EHS is rising to meet this moment by creating spaces and structures focused on respectful engagement.
At the heart of promoting inclusivity is recognizing that diversity is not limited to visible characteristics. While changing racial demographics at EHS and nationally provide a backdrop—in the past decade the enrollment of students of color in K-12 public schools in Minnesota increased from 30.4% to 37.7% and in Edina from 17.0% to 35.3%—it’s equally important to consider factors like socioeconomic status, gender identity, ability, life experiences, and more.
EHS has faced significant challenges in recent years that underscore the importance of an inclusive school culture. With discriminatory and global issues met with activism and walkouts, students have expressed their voices and demanded continuous attention and reform from the district.
As the sole newspaper exclusively covering and serving Edina, Zephyrus holds a unique responsibility to reflect and amplify the voices of the entire community. This includes telling stories that both represent and resonate with marginalized groups and ensuring that all students can envision themselves as a part of our newsroom.
Our actions are a step forward, but they’re not solutions in isolation. Real progress requires ongoing collaboration within the community.
In 2023, 55% of U.S. high school students felt connected to members of their school community. It’s a statistic not nearly high enough and a signal for the need to find stronger ways to engage and provide each and every student with a sense of community.
Unified programming, the Mosaic initiative, and unique opportunities for all students to pursue their passions with their peers are all examples of consistent aims to unite the EHS community under a common mission of connection and dialogue.
EHS has also embraced social-emotional learning as a cornerstone of its evolving culture by implementing it into this year’s new advisory system. By also merging Advisory with students’ second-period classes, the administration has encouraged greater connection between students and advisors.
Principal Paul Paetzel has posed an essential question to the EHS community: “How do we all become Hornets?” Building a school culture rooted in inclusivity can’t be a passive process, it requires courage, accountability, and growth. As Zephyrus, we invite our community members to join us in this effort. Whether through supporting student journalism, participating in organizations like Mosaic, or simply engaging in respectful dialogue, everyone has a role to play.
Our diverse student body is not just a statistic; it’s a strength. By prioritizing inclusion and equity, we can transform Edina High School into a model of what a unified and understanding school community looks like.
