West metro school briefs: Perpich Arts High School accepting applications

Perpich Arts High School will be accepting applications for 2014-15 until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15.

The public school in Golden Valley is open to all state 11th- and twelfth-grade students who have a passion for the arts.

Applications may be downloaded at http://perpich.mn.gov/ahs/adminfo.html or picked up at the school, 6125 Olson Hwy., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Students may choose among seven arts areas: artscience, dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater and visual arts.

After making the initial application, students are invited to admission reviews during which they audition if applying in the performing arts or submit portfolios for review if they are in the studio arts or literary arts. Artscience applicants receive a reading to complete and then prepare a response to the reading.

Application materials may be mailed, e-mailed to admis sions@pcae.k12.mn.us or faxed to 763-591-4747. E-mail the admissions address with questions or call 763-279-4168.

The Alliance for Catholic Education, a program at the University of Notre Dame that supports Catholic schools throughout the country, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by traveling to schools across the country, including Richfield's Blessed Trinity Catholic School.

Blessed Trinity is a two-campus school. Preschool through grade 3 are located at 7540 Penn Av. S.; grades 4-8 are at 6720 Nicollet Av. S.

Josh Swanson has been hired as Eden Prairie Schools' assistant superintendent. He's been executive director of technology for the district since October 2012.

Swanson served as director of technology and information systems for the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose district for five years, and also as the special education services administrator and an assistant principal at Buffalo Middle School. He also has worked as an interim associate principal, interim dean of students and athletic director at West Middle School for Wayzata Public Schools; physical education teacher at Wayzata West and Central middle schools, and project manager at Merrill Corp., a St. Paul provider of technology-enabled information and document services.

The assistant superintendent position replaces the executive director of educational services position formerly held by Stephen West, who has been named superintendent for the Winona School District.

Swanson will assume his new duties on July 1.

Minnetonka Public Schools and the Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District received the Best Communities for Music Education designation for 2014.

Columbia Academy in Columbia Heights received the Support Music Merit Award, which recognizes extraordinary music education programs in individual school buildings.

Minnesota Connections Academy, a tuition-free K-12 virtual public school, will host a free information session for families interested in learning about its online program and individualized approach to education from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth.

Families will meet with Connections Academy faculty, explore the school's curriculum, and learn about the enrollment process.

Other topics will include: how teachers interact with students in the virtual environment; personalized learning opportunities, including options for accelerated learning and gifted programs; college preparation; socialization and parents' roles.