Happenings (May 26, 2023)

Experiential Learning Showcased in Final Projects

Hill-Murray students have been hard at work preparing for end of year projects. We were able to see some students shine this week as they were finally able to present their final product with their classmates and broader student and staff body. Featured below is a taste of what Hill-Murray students have been diligently preparing for this semester.

AP English 11 Symposium

The AP English 11 Symposium, advised by Mr. Pieper, showcased research-based arguments from Hill-Murray juniors. While most secondary students only get the opportunity to write about abstract academic concepts, Hill-Murray’s honors-level juniors get to apply their rhetorical and research skills to a place they call home. Their ideas to improve the Hill-Murray experience range from overhauling the disciplinary system to integrating better recycling and composting practices.

English 11 Project Displays

Students in Mrs. Kelly’s and Mr. Beyel’s classes read Night, a memoir of Elie Wiesel’s experience during the Holocaust, which served as a springboard for a broader examination of other historical genocides. Students picked pieces of art that connected with them for a class project on the genocide they learned about. Volunteers from the MN History Center have been visiting to help students with their research. Students have been able to get creative with the presentation format of their projects – from original artwork to podcasts, websites and more. Their projects will be displayed via QR code for students and staff to view during finals week.

Honors World History 10 TED Talks

Sophomores in Honors World History with Mr. Schwartz presented final TED-style talks on a topic of their choosing. Presentations covered a range of ideas from politics and mindsets to travel and board games. 


Senior Dinner & Awards

The Class of 2023 gathered for Senior Recognition Night on Wednesday for a celebration of their accomplishments. They were served a plated dinner by HM faculty and staff followed by an Awards Ceremony for their successes in academics, athletics and activities. It was wonderful to see all their smiling faces as they are about to embark on new adventures. Graduation is a week from today at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.


Art Show Awards

Thank you to all of the students who participated in the Hill-Murray Art show at St. Paul’s Monastery. Congratulations to the winners: George Cave, 1st place; Bridget Lisle, 2nd place; and Gabby Joseph, 3rd place. Congratulations to Ryan Wolsfeld, Logan Hennen, Julia Montgomery, Caitlyn Gaumond, Kelly Maier, Owen Lunak, Lydia Rocheford, Kiera Whitcomb, Leshia Badger, and Caden Capra for receiving honorable mentions! Ms. Hunkins and Mr. Dahl are so very proud of you all.


Trading Post


Please join us for the 2023 Pioneer Golf Classic!

Indian Hills Golf Club
Monday, June 19, 2023
11:00 a.m. Check-in, boxed lunch and range balls
12:00 p.m. Shotgun start time
Dinner to follow tournament

Cost: $150/golfer
Includes lunch, golf, carts and dinner

Click here to register

Alumni, current and past parents, grandparents and friends of Hill-Murray are invited to a fun day of golf. We hope you can join us!


Register for Summer Athletic Camps

The 2022 Hill-Murray Summer Athletic Camps are LIVE and available for registration.

Please CLICK HERE to learn about our offerings and to register.

We hope to see your child this summer!

Please email John Pohl, Activities Director, at jpohl@hill-murray.org with any questions.


Star Students

World Language

Click here for April Star Students

Click here for May Star Students

Junior Awards

Congratulations to the juniors who earned academic and special awards this year!


Parent Volunteers Needed for Business Days

The Office of Student Life is looking for a couple of parent volunteers to help with returning student’s Business Day on Tuesday, August 15 from 8:00 AM-2:00 PM and/or Wednesday, August 16 from 8:00 AM – Noon. The adult volunteer would assist with locker assignments and issuing parking permits. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact Sarah Mathis at smathis@hill-murray.org.


Summer Course: Executive Functional Skills

Tuesdays – Thursdays | June 13, 2023 – July 27, 2023 (NO Sessions July 4-6) 

12:30 PM-2:00 PM

The Nicholas Center at Hill-Murray invites all students entering grades 5-8 in the fall of 2023 to join us for The Nicholas Center Summer Executive Functioning Skills Program at Hill-Murray. 

Executive Functioning skills are the necessary life skills we use every day. They are the foundation of our ability to plan, organize, initiate, and follow through with tasks to achieve goals.

The Summer Executive Functioning Skills Program is a 6-week program in which students will learn about various executive functioning (EF) skills and how the skills impact their daily lives. Students will explore strategies and tools to improve their EF skills while engaging in lessons, activities, and crafts that support skill development. Your child will leave HM Summer Executive Functioning Skills Camp with a new set of tools in their toolbox and most importantly, a confidence that will permeate all other aspects of their lives!

The 6-week Summer Executive Functioning Skills Program will run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from June 13, 2023, through July 27th, 2023 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm.

COST OF COURSE: $225

Note: NO programming on July 4, 5, 6

To register your child for the Summer Executive Functional Camp, please CLICK HERE.

For more information, please contact Molly Schauff mschauff@hill-murray.org or Brent Johnson bgjohnson@hill-murray.org


The Nicholas Center at Hill-Murray School, in partnership with Youth Advantage of Stillwater and The Good Neighbor Center of the East Side of Saint Paul, invites all struggling readers entering grades 1st-6th in the fall of 2023 to join us for the The Nicholas Center Summer Reading Program at Hill-Murray. The Summer Reading Program is a 6-week program that focuses on boosting literacy skills in students, including phonological and phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, morphology, comprehension and fluency. To learn more and to register, please click here.


Summer College Exploration

Students wishing to explore colleges this summer will benefit from special programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as other regions of the country. Below are some helpful links.

The Minnesota Private College week is June 26-30

The Wisconsin Private College Week is July 10-15.

We have a very nice booklet available in Guidance & Counseling with all of the Minnesota Private Colleges detailed in it. Send your student in before school ends to take one! They are on the shelves in Guidance & Counseling. Even though we may not be in the building in summer, all guidance counselors read and reply to email regularly. Please let us know if you have questions about anything, particularly college exploration.


Driver’s Education

(for students 14+)

This 30-hour program will be conducted by a certified instructor from the A+ Driving School and will fulfill the state driver’s education requirement. The course will address the “how to’s” and “why’s” of safe driving. The format of the class will be lecture and active discussion. After completion of the program, students will be able to set up and participate in behind-the-wheel sessions to meet the six hour state requirement. Classes will meet at Hill-Murray. All registration can be done through A+ Driving School. Need to miss a few classes? No problem – make-up classes will be provided.

Class Dates: July 10-14 & July 17-21

Class Time: 9am-12pm

Registrationwww.APlusDrivingSchool.net