A Closer Look

The names of Longfellow, Hiawatha and Minnehaha are prominent on street signs, parks and businesses in the vicinity of Minnehaha Academy, located on the southeastern border of Minneapolis, where West River Parkway curves along the lush, steep embankment overlooking the Mississippi River far below.

Minnehaha means "laughing waters" in the language of the Dakota. Running eastward from its source in Lake Minnetonka, west of Minneapolis, Minnehaha Creek winds more than 20 miles through tree-shaded neighborhoods to the Mississippi, only blocks from Minnehaha Academy’s South Campus.

Just before it reaches the river, the creek drops 53 feet, forming a beautiful bridal-veil waterfall. Nearby the falls, along the creek, visitors to Minnehaha Park will find a romantic sculpture of Hiawatha – the Ojibwe warrior in Longfellow’s poem, Song of Hiawatha – and his love, Minnehaha.

The natural beauty of the surrounding area imbues the campuses of Minnehaha Academy with a sense of peace, serenity and timelessness that is unique among schools in our region, creating an ideal atmosphere for learning, faith and growth.