Orono Public Schools

09/04/2026

To our students, families and staff: Please enjoy a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.

There is no school and all offices are closed on September 7.

School resumes on Tuesday, September 8.

09/04/2026

Last fall, our district came together to create an “I Believe in You” video that we shared on Monday this week. And today, Orono staff carried that message forward in a new way.

❤️ WE BELIEVE IN YOU.

The Orono Well-being Committee designed and provided a special “We Believe in You” t-shirt for every staff member, and today was the first district-wide day wearing them.

From classrooms to offices, hallways to support spaces, and across every building and every role, our staff wore the same message: We believe in who our students are today and who they are becoming.

The accompanying photos can’t capture all of the heart behind this effort, but they offer a wonderful glimpse of what it looks like when an entire school district comes together around one powerful message.

To our students: We believe in you. Always. ❤️

And to our incredible staff: thank you for making that belief visible—not just today, but in the countless ways you show up for our students every day.

09/04/2026

📷🖼🏫 Friday Flashback: Stories From Our District

Starting today, we’re sharing a little piece of Orono Schools history weekly on Fridays! From familiar faces to the ways our campus has evolved and changed, these photos offer a glimpse into the people, moments, and memories that have shaped our school community.

Wondering how Orono Schools came to be? Here’s the quick version of our early history. In 1949, Orono became the first reorganized school district in Minnesota, bringing together nine independent districts. Myrtle Schumann’s poem (below), is central to this illustration that celebrates the district’s early history. Orono Public Schools acquired centrally located farmland along Old Crystal Bay Road to build the district’s first high school. Ground was broken in 1951 for Orono High School, now the Orono Intermediate School. Orono Schumann Elementary opened in 1957, followed by today’s Orono High School in 1968 and Orono Middle School in 2000.

"A Salute to Orono and You"
We started out small
In forty-nine,
With six small buildings
But districts nine.

As District Eleven
We fell into stride
Becoming Orono
Which has filled us with pride.

Superintendents three
Have accepted our call
Lytle, and Haehlen,
And Lennon; leaders all.

Forward with confidence
Mids't cheers and the skeptic
They selected a staff
Together building our district.

Thanks to them and to you
And your dedication
Our boys and girls still
Have the best education.

Whether you're young or old
You've had a share
In building a district
That knows you do care.
Myrtle G. Schumann, 1975

A spirit of collaboration and connection continues to shape who we are today, building on a legacy and tradition that began more than 75 years ago.

💙❤ Stay tuned—and follow along every Friday for more!

09/03/2026

All smiles 😁 We hope you're having a great first week, Spartans!

09/02/2026

A big day for our young Spartans! Today we welcome our newest learners as they begin their Kindergarten journey at Orono Schools. We can’t wait to see all the learning, growing, and fun that's ahead!

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Hey Spartans - we're back! 🎒✏🍎😊

Today, we kick off a brand-new school year! We’re excited to have our students in grades 1-12 joining us back on campus today, September 1.

Kindergarten families, your big day is tomorrow! We’ll see our newest Spartans on September 2.

Reminder ➡The Back-to-School page is the go-to source for important info., dates, lists & more!
Visit oronoschools.org/bts

08/31/2026

One more day, Spartans! The first day of school is tomorrow, September 1! 🙌

As we get ready to welcome our students back, there’s one thing we know for sure: WE BELIEVE IN YOU! 💙❤ Our teachers and staff believe in our students, their potential, and all the amazing things they will accomplish this school year.

Take a look at our “I Believe in You” video and get ready for a great year of learning, connection, and Spartan spirit!

🔗 https://bit.ly/ORONO-BELIEVE

Reminder...the first day of Kindergarten is September 2.

We invite you to watch this heartfelt video and celebrate the spiri...

08/28/2026

We’re excited to welcome everyone back to the 2026–27 school year. If you haven't been on campus since June, you'll notice a lot of improvements inside and out! All summer, our staff, contractors, and vendors have been busy restoring and refreshing buildings and athletic spaces.

🏫🚧Here are just a few highlights:
☑ Parking lot resurfacing and directional striping at nearly every building
☑ Resurfaced playground at Schumann Elementary
☑ Resurfaced Orono High School tennis courts
☑ Newly paved pathways connecting athletic fields and parking lots
☑ Permanent flooring, HVAC, and classroom restoration at Schumann Elementary following the December flood
☑ Refreshed gym floors at Orono High School and Orono Schumann Elementary
☑ Improvements to the varsity baseball field including new fencing and painting
☑ New doors and windows at the Discovery Center in Maple Plain

A special thank you to Mr. Nick Taintor, Director of Business Services; and Mr. Chad Eischens, Buildings & Grounds Coordinator, for planning and managing these projects. They have been working behind the scenes to ensure our campuses are ready for our students' return. Their attention to detail has made a tremendous difference.

08/26/2026

🐝🦋🌼 For several years, Orono 5th- and 6th-grade students have been getting their hands dirty preparing and planting the pollinator garden behind Orono Middle School. The garden is one of the many ways the district brings science to life—giving students an opportunity to explore how living things interact with their environment while seeing firsthand the impact of stewardship and care.

A special thank-you to Mr. Paul Hamilton and all of our 5th-grade teachers who have contributed to this effort year after year. And to all of the students, past and present, who have dug, planted, watered, and learned in the garden: thank you!

Today’s photos captured the fruits of their hard work—and the happy bees and butterflies thriving in the garden.