Minnetrista, Dakota for “crooked waters,” aptly describes the coastline this city follows along the western shores of Lake Minnetonka. The 32 square miles of the city are made up of farmland, prairies, wetlands and many beautiful neighborhoods that have sprung up in this western suburb over the last ten years. Once a resort community, Minnetrista still offers its residents an abundance of outdoor activities with many lakes and numerous parks. It also features access to the Luce Line bike trail system.

Shirley Hills is once again being recognized as a Reward School by the Minnesota Department of Education! In fact, this is the 3rd year in a row Shirley Hills has received this recognition. There are only 20 schools in the entire state of Minnesota to have received the Reward designation three times in a row! In the words of the Commission of Education, “This is an incredible achievement.” Grandview Middle School has also been named a Reward School.

MinnCan.org, which has several methodologies for ranking all public schools, has ranked Shirley Hills 2nd in the state!! This is out of hundreds and hundreds of primary and secondary schools in Minnesota. Go to www.MinnCan.org, and click on Report Cards>Category>Student Performance>Elementary (or High School). You will see that:

Shirley Hills is ranked 2nd in the state Hilltop is ranked 11th in the state Mound Westonka High School is ranked 19 in the state.

A few years ago when I relocated back to MN to be near my kids and grandchildren I selected Minnetrista. I like the small town feel. I like it that more people walk by my house than drive.
And, they stop and talk! I like to walk and bike ride and I feel safe. And with fantastic lake views!
There is a Great Hospital in near by Waconia, good shopping in Mound Excelsior and Wayzata. Several great trails and parks. I love being close to all that a big city offers while enjoying the peace and quiet of small community living! All this and Lake Minnetonka and all it offers.

Having lived in the neighboring city of Mound for 7 years, I can tell you this area offers a small town feel complimented by all the amenities one needs for one's family. Neighboring community, Mound, offers, shopping, dining, Wells Fargo, Caribou Coffee, Hennepin County Library, Health Care, and more all within walking distance. The Dakota Trail runs through Minnetrista from Watertown to Wayzata. On the south side residents and guests of the community can enjoy the Westonka Recreational Park.

Westonka schools are among the finest in the state. This hasn't always been the case. I played against Westonka as a youth and remember when budgets were so bad at the school; they had to cut sports programs. Now, the school is flourishing academically and in athletics! Welcome home!