About

Building skills and confidence for a changing world.

Meadowbrook Elementary is a K-5 school within the Hopkins Public Schools District, located in the city of Golden Valley. In the 2024-25 school year, we served nearly 800 students and their families. Meadowbrook’s project based learning approach provides dynamic, student-centered experiences tailored to each child’s unique needs. Through hands-on projects that tackle real-world challenges, students explore issues that matter to them and their communities, empowering them to take ownership of their learning while building confidence and developing critical thinking skills. Meadowbrook’s dedication to personalized learning equips students to thrive in an ever-changing world

Why Families Choose Meadowbrook

"A true family-oriented and student centered building. I so appreciate Principal Sawatzky and her efforts to create a warm and safe environment for all students. Amazing teachers and staff!"

-Meadowbrook Parent

A graphic representation of a graduation cap

Meadowbrook students outpace the state average in Reading and Math achievement.

94% of Meadowbrook students said they are able to stand up for themselves without putting others down.

More student data

What Makes Meadowbrook Unique?

Project Based Learning

Meadowbrook’s project based learning approach provides
dynamic, student-centered experiences tailored to each child’s
unique needs. Through hands-on projects that tackle real-world
challenges, students explore issues that matter to them and their
communities, empowering them to take ownership of their learning while building confidence and developing critical thinking skills. Meadowbrook’s dedication to individualized learning equips
students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Learn more about Project Based Learning and the powerful learning experiences it's creating for Meadowbrook students on the district's podcast, Inside Hopkins. This episode features guests Ryin Carreras, a first grade teacher at Meadowbrook, and Mary Kornmann, an instructional coach at Meadowbrook.

Student Wellness

At Meadowbrook, we prioritize the holistic well-being of our students, recognizing its vital role in their growth and success. We fulfill this commitment through a strong focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) and restorative justice practices.

Through SEL, students gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, develop empathy, and build essential skills that support academic achievement and healthy relationships. Research shows that SEL improves academic performance while reducing stress and anxiety, fostering a well-rounded foundation for lifelong success.

Restorative practices are integral to Meadowbrook’s approach to conflict resolution. When disagreements arise, students engage in open dialogue, sharing their perspectives and collaboratively finding solutions. This process teaches genuine respect for themselves and others, while strengthening the sense of community that defines our school culture.

96% of Meadowbrook students say they are able to control their emotions.

Learn more about Restorative Practices in this episode of the district's podcast, Inside Hopkins, featuring Meadowbook staff Principal Natalie Sawatzky and Student Success Advocate Suzanne Pakenham.

Student Voice

At Meadowbrook, we place a strong emphasis on valuing Student Voice, recognizing its importance in fostering self-confidence and personal growth. Our students are given numerous opportunities to practice advocating for themselves, an essential life skill that will serve them well in their future endeavors. Below are some of the ways we prioritize and amplify student voice within our community.

Choice of Ways to Practice Learning - At Meadowbrook, students have the freedom to choose how they review and reinforce the content they've learned, selecting from various modalities that suit their individual preferences and learning styles.
Choice of Ways to Present What They've Learned - Project-Based Learning empowers students to decide how they demonstrate their understanding. While some may express their knowledge through stories or essays, others might prefer creating videos or visual presentations, fostering creativity and ownership in the learning process.
Input in School Ways of Being - Meadowbrook's "Ways of Being"—a set of shared norms guiding interactions and behavior—was collaboratively developed with direct input from students. This inclusive approach ensures greater buy-in and mutual accountability, as students and staff work together to create a positive school environment.