West metro school briefs: Quest Academy director resigns

Charter school's director resignsThe leader of Quest Academy in St. Louis Park, which nearly closed this past summer due to low enrollment and financial scrutiny by the state, has resigned.

Director Laura Porter-Jones stepped down on Oct. 7. She declined to comment on the decision other than to say it was "necessary and appropriate."

The chairwoman of the board of directors, Margaret Glasch, said the decision came after the board reduced Porter-Jones' position to a half-time role due to budget constraints. The charter school opened in September to 65 students, 20 fewer than last year. The board has since approved hiring an interim director, Suzi Splinter, who was an assessment specialist at Seven Hills Classical Academy in Bloomington last year.

Benilde hosts dance clinic for childrenBenilde-St. Margaret's Knightettes will host a dance clinic for ages 4 to 14 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The clinic costs $40. Go to www.bsmschool.org/dance clinic.

Fall Music Festival set for Orchestra HallThe combined choirs and symphony orchestras of Robbinsdale Area Schools will present their annual Fall Music Festival on Monday at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The event, featuring more than 600 students, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10, or $5 for students, and are available at the Armstrong and Cooper high school box offices. They'll also be available at Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, the night of the performance.

South High presents 'Lend Me a Tenor'South High School will present the farce "Lend Me a Tenor" at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the high school, 3130 19th Av. S. in Minneapolis.

Blake School hosts open houseThe Blake School will host open houses Saturday, with a session from 9 a.m. to noon for pre-K through grade 8 at its Hopkins campus, 110 Blake Road S., and a session for pre-K through grade 5 from noon-2:30 at its Highcroft campus, 301 Peavey Lane, Wayzata.

Administrators, faculty, current parents and students will discuss the independent pre-K through grade 12 school.

An open house for grades 9-12 also is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 12 at the Minneapolis campus, 511 Kenwood Parkway. A "Morning at Blake" is scheduled for pre-K-grade 5 students from 9-11:30 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Wayzata campus.

All admissions and financial aid applications for the school must be received by Jan. 31. A financial aid workshop will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 7 at the Hopkins campus.

High school students present 'Dracula'Minnetonka High School will present "Dracula: The Musical" beginning Friday at the Arts Center on 7 Main Stage.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors age 65 and older, $12 for youth under the age of 18 and $10 for students with a valid ID. For more information, call 952-401-5898 or go to www.minnetonka theatre.com.