News

Greta Thun has been hired to serve as Educator on Special Assignment, a new role on the district-wide Teaching and Learning team that will provide instructional leadership through collaboration with principals and educators to support student math outcomes and the implementation of the district’s strategic plan.

White Bear Lake Area High School is excited to announce the hiring of Jeremy Post as the new Head Coach of the Boys’ Basketball program.

Lindsey Samec has been hired to serve as Principal on Special Assignment, a role on the district-wide Teaching and Learning team that will become open in July when Cynthia Mueller leaves White Bear to become Director of Teaching and Learning with Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools.

White Bear Lake Area High School Language Arts teacher Dr. Katelin Held was named White Bear Lake Area Educators' 2026 Teacher of the Year at an April 28 celebration and recognition ceremony. 

White Bear Lake Area High School is excited to announce the hiring of Ryan Carter as the new Head Coach of the Girls' Hockey Team.

For the second consecutive year, Mariner Middle School has been named a Gold Star Winner – the highest distinction – in the Star of Innovation Awards presented by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP). The award honors schools across Minnesota for developing and supporting exemplary, innovative educational programs.

Six students from Mariner Middle School qualified for the National History Day competition taking place June 13-19 at the University of Maryland. 

White Bear Lake Area High School’s Joe Held was named Capitol Division High School Assistant Principal of the Year, and Mariner Middle School’s Christina Pierre was named Capitol Division Middle School Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

White Bear Lake Area High School's 2025 graduation rate is the highest in the area. The 2025 reported graduation rate at WBLAHS is 97.32%, topping the state rate by 12.38 percentage points and increasing by 0.80 percentage points from last year, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This rate surpasses all neighboring districts – and even those traditionally ranked among the highest in the Twin Cities.

The district's Nutrition Services Department received impressive honors recently. The department received a School Lunch Honorable Mention Award in the Say Yes! to School Meals Photo Contest, and Nutrition Services Specialist Brianna Caverzagie attended the 2026 School Nutrition Association Executive Leadership Program, held in partnership with the Georgetown McDonough School of Business.

A Building Our Future Update 2024 video was recently created and shared out on the district's website. This sixth annual update video provides an overview of progress that has been made across the district since the comprehensive facilities review and planning work began in 2018 and the community supported the Building Our Future Bond Referendum in 2019.

The high school’s fall musical, “Cinderella,” recently heard word that they received multiple accolades through the Hennepin Arts Spotlight Awards program. As part of that recognition, the cast and members of the crew and pit orchestra will have the opportunity to perform on the State Theatre stage in June.

Otter Lake Elementary Principal Ang Nelson was recently honored with the East Suburban Division Leadership Award by Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association.

Bear Boards and More is now taking orders! The student-operated business based at the Transition Education Center, specializes in customized cutting boards and tumblers.

At the November 10, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting, the White Bear Lake Area School Board approved the following calendars:

• 2026-27 Academic Calendar
• 2027-28 Academic Calendar

If winter weather is so severe that schools need to close, families will be alerted via phone, email and text to those with texting capabilities. The message will be posted on the district's website and social media accounts, and the information will also be available on local media outlets.

White Bear Lake Area Schools is pleased to announce that Tonya Flower has been selected to serve as the district’s new American Indian Education Program Coordinator.

The WBLAHS Field House walking track is now open for the season! Community members can walk the indoor track (for free) from 6-9 p.m. each week Monday-Thursday.