Our School

Office: 952-556-6200

Email:IAAMainOffice@district112.org

Transportation: 952-556-6160

School Hours: 7:50am-2:28pm

Address: 11 Peavey Road Chaska, MN 55318

High school is a key opportunity to explore the direction a student will take as they enter adulthood. The Integrated Arts Academy (IAA) was designed on best practices research that suggests that arts education can engage students and move them toward success in school, work, and life. The IAA creates personalized learning opportunities for all students through arts- integrated instruction and community partnerships.

Curriculum in this innovative program enables students to meet the District’s regular graduation requirements through focused content areas: Culinary, Horticultural, and Visual Arts. Each area is supported by community expertise connected to these areas of interest.

Our staff works with students to create customized learning plans which meet the student’s unique graduation requirements. The IAA curriculum uses a standards- based learning approach designed to engage students in the investigation of authentic real-world experiences. Students learn research and critical thinking skills as well as working collaboratively to create projects that reflect their knowledge.

The IAA has unique partnerships with local teaching institutions such as Hennepin Technical College, MacPhail Center for the Arts and the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

School Vision

Students come first.
The IAA nurtures a safe, supportive school environment that encourages creative exploration and recognizes failure as a first step in learning.
The IAA provides an option outside of traditional schools by combining relevant curriculum with art and core academic standards.
Education at the IAA is personalized, inquiry driven, standards based, and high quality.
The IAA recognizes every student as an individual with individual needs. The IAA creates a personalized plan for each student’s success which takes into account academic, social, and emotional growth.
The IAA is dedicated to incorporating modern best practices centered on how effective educational organizations run, how teachers teach, and how students learn.
The IAA is inclusive and recognizes diverse learners with varying backgrounds, life experiences, and ability levels.
The IAA partners with professionals, local businesses, and other organizations in the community to provide diverse educational experiences.

Student Vision

The IAA is a close-knit, inclusive, and supportive community that shows respect towards each other, teachers, and staff by following the school’s core values.

IAA students are proud of their school and its mission. They promote and represent it appropriately.
IAA students value art and creativity in all forms. They feel safe and supported taking creative risks in their work.
IAA students have a growth mindset.
IAA students take ownership for their work. Learning is more targeted towards what you need.
- Self initiating and take ownership over their work, independence
- Always looking to grow, “advance”
- Smaller school, gives teachers more time to work with students, harder to fall through the cracks, teachers seek out students to help them
- Need to be self motivated student
  - Easy to get off task – watch YouTube, Netflix, etc.
  - Freedom makes it easier to lose focus
  - Wish teachers followed up with students more often
- Other schools see IAA as not as good, but students stand up for their school
- Gives a more creative approach – tons of different ways to do it

Learns better when relating to unlike or like things together – making connections
Hands on learning
Helps retain knowledge and be more productive
Put more effort into artistic activities they like doing – more engaged
Keeps students involved in project process – more motivated to work when they get to choose the final product
Personal choice for some people
More to art than just painting – can learn art history, techniques, skills, etc.

Staff Vision

Students come first.
The IAA is made up of a community of highly motivated educational practitioners. These committed individuals are independent and self‐driven. They work to create a positive, challenging environment centered on teaching and learning best practice.
Staff believe in the IAA’s core values and model behavior aligned with them.
The IAA staff are creative problem solvers. Staff actively embrace change, adapt to meet new challenges, and strive to create the best educational experiences possible.
IAA employees are accountable for their work and dedicated to the school’s mission.
Encourage students to be happy and successful in school
Define what appropriate behavior for students is at the IAA
Model what a great student at the IAA looks like

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the Integrated Arts Academy?

What specialty areas are included in the IAA?

Are students still required to meet Eastern Carver County Schools' graduation requirements?

Are all classes located at the Integrated Arts Academy?

The IAA is located at the District Education Center in Chaska. Some classes are scheduled in the community at locations that support one of the specialty areas in the program. Other classes occur at Chanhassen or Chaska High Schools and Southwest Metro Educational Cooperative in Chaska. Students have the option of participating in after school sports and activities at Chanhassen or Chaska High School.

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