Alumni Outcomes

Where Our Graduates Go—and How They’re Making an Impact

Minnehaha Academy graduates leave prepared for what comes next. They enroll in a wide range of colleges and universities, pursue meaningful careers, and serve their communities as leaders, thinkers, and people of character.

Grounded in rigorous academics and faith-integrated learning, a Minnehaha education equips students with the skills, habits, and perspective they need to thrive—academically, professionally, and personally—and to make a positive, enduring impact in the world.

College Outcomes

Our graduates enroll at a wide range of colleges that match their interests, callings, and strengths—evidence of both academic preparation and personalized guidance.

  • 100% of graduates accepted into college or university
  • 100% of students take at least one AP class before graduation
  • 649 potential college courses earned before graduation
  • 25 matriculating states
  • 56% attend private institutions
  • 44% attend public institutions

Preparation that Transfers

  • Critical thinking and analytical writing

  • Collaboration and leadership

  • Ethical discernment and moral reasoning

  • Adaptability and resilience

  • Clear communication across perspectives

Alumni Pathways

Across many fields, Minnehaha graduates build meaningful work and service-oriented lives rooted in their education and values.

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Dr. Angela Huston '06

CEO of The Resilience Project

Dr. Huston earned her doctorate in civil engineering in order to improve water and sanitation systems in developing nations. 

Her Minnehaha Takeaway: Boundaries and limits (and rules!) are sometimes meant to be changed. If you have a dream or an audacious idea, you can find people who will support you to achieve it.

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Chet Holmgren '21

NBA Champion/Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet was the #2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and helped the Thunder in a historic NBA Championship win. At Minnehaha, he balanced elite athletics with humility and team spirit - values that still define his game today.

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Jean Song '05

Producer & Journalist at CBS News

At Minnehaha, Jean found her fit in music, French, and tennis. Today she produces national news stories with empathy and excellence.

"[MA] was a very nurturing environment where I could grow and be true to my faith."

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Daniel Stein '18

PhD Student at Harvard, Bioinformatics & Integrative Genomics

Daniel Stein's curiosity has taken him from the Innovation Lab to AI research in bioinformatics. He continues the spirit of discovery that defined his MA years. Seeing challenges as a friend, not foe, helped set Stein up for success.

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Andy Baukol '82

U.S. Department of the Treasury/International Monetary Fund/CIA

Described by former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as "a true pillar of the Treasury Department," Andy Baukol has built a career of integrity and impact in public service.

"The values [at MA] helped steer me to a good group of friends. You tend to take on the habits and actions of your closest friends. If they are doing positive and meaningful things, then you will tend to as well."

James Barnett, Minnehaha Academy Alum

James Barnett, '04

Twin Cities Charter School Principal

"The MA community wanted me to reach my greatest potential. My professional aspiration is to create that same space for kids in Minneapolis.”

 

Steve Pontius, Minnehaha Academy Alum

Steve Pontius, '80

Minute Clinic Founder

From classes to hockey to baseball Steve found his place in the community and developed friendships that carry into today. In fact, classmate Eric Hawkins stepped in during the early days to invest in MinuteClinic and help get it launched.

Alumni Journeys

Minnehaha shapes how alumni engage their work—leading with integrity, serving others, and approaching their vocations with purpose, humility, and care for the common good.

These alumni journeys provide deeper insight into how a Minnehaha education continues to shape lives and careers long after graduation.

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Now working at Steve Madden in New York City, Madeleine Danzberger '19 manages projects focused on sustainability and social impact in the fashion industry. Her work explores how design, manufacturing, and corporate responsibility can come together to build a more sustainable future.

Read More about From Minnehaha to Steve Madden: Madeleine Danzberger '19 Works to Build a More Sustainable Fashion Industry
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After studying classical languages at Wheaton College and completing a semester in Oxford, Annika is now pursuing a master’s in classics at Notre Dame. As she prepares for a career teaching Latin, her studies draw together language, literature, history, and faith.

Read More about Why the Ancient World Still Matters: Annika Currell’s Journey from Wheaton to Oxford and Notre Dame in the Study of Classics
Brad Beale '89: Leaning in to New Things

Leaning into Innovation: Brad Beale ’89 Connects AI and Industry
As Managing Director of P+F Comtrol, Brad Beale ’89 is helping industrial companies worldwide harness AI to monitor equipment, prevent failures, and boost sustainability. From reimagining his family’s tech business to developing real-time sensor-to-cloud solutions, Beale’s story is a testament to curiosity, adaptability, and the power of human insight in a data-driven world. 

Read More about Brad Beale '89: Leaning in to New Things
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Reinvention, Innovation, and AI: Heidi St. Clair’s Career Journey
From teaching high school math to leading AI innovation at CHS, Heidi (Wentzel) St. Clair ’86 has reinvented herself at every turn. Discover how this Minnehaha alum blends systems thinking, creativity, and faith to lead in a fast-changing world—and why she believes critical thinking and curiosity are the keys to thriving in the age of AI.

Read More about Heidi (Wentzel) St. Clair '85: Pivoting to Artificial Intelligence
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Decoding Autoimmune Disease: Daniel Stein ’18 at Harvard Medical School
While still in college, Daniel Stein ’18 used AI and advanced data analysis to develop heart monitoring technology. Today he is a PhD student in Bioinformatics at Harvard, working to uncover why some autoimmune patients respond to treatment—while others don’t. Stein shares the steps that led him from Minnehaha to medical research, and why curiosity, ethics, and critical thinking remain essential in the age of AI.

Read More about Daniel Stein '18: 8 Steps to a Harvard PhD Program (AI Included)

"Minnehaha helped me discover my passions and grow both academically and personally. I've participated in sports, the Minnehaha Leadership Institute, and the ISS team, all of which have helped contribute to a well-rounded high school experience in which I've developed a variety of practical skills. Minnehaha has prepared me for the next part of my life journey in college and beyond." -Greta Gesick '25

While every graduate’s journey is unique, these pathways and experiences reflect the consistent outcomes we see year after year.