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Our Mission
Arete Academy of Exceptional Education is committed to partnering with students, parents, and the community to provide a nurturing environment for gifted students who learn differently. At Arete, each student’s unique gifts are recognized and celebrated, and their learning differences are accepted and supported. Students experience a sense of belonging and build self-esteem through programming focused on strength-based learning, flexibility, educational technology, and a commitment to embracing the whole child. We strive to meet each student’s academic, social and emotional needs to encourage them to reach their full potential and apply their gifts to make lasting contributions to their community.
Our Story
Leah Brzezinski, the founder of Arete Academy, has dedicated 25 years to autism education, speech pathology and special education administration. Her diverse experience equips her to address the unique needs of a variety of students.
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When Leah's oldest son faced academic, social and emotional challenges in fifth grade, she applied her professional skills to understand his needs. Through testing and personal exploration, Leah discovered her son was a twice-exceptional learner. Realizing the scarcity of schools designed for 2e learners, especially in the Midwest, Leah decided to create Arete Academy. Her mission: to provide a supportive and challenging environment for bright students who learn differently.
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At Arete Academy, our mission is to help each student reach their highest potential. We provide a supportive, stimulating and personalized educational experience that nurtures both their intellectual abilities and their individual learning needs. Through our specialized programs and dedicated staff, we strive to empower our students to excel academically, socially and emotionally.
Our Campus
Arete enrolls students entering 6-12th grade, and has low teacher ratios within the classroom. Small class sizes help us promote strength-based learning and individualized curriculum.
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​Arete Academy is a Candidate for Accreditation with NCA CASI, NWAC, and SACS CASI.
Location
In 2023, we moved to our newest location, inside the Adler Graduate School building in Minnetonka, MN. Our address is 10225 Yellow Cir Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55343.
Meet Our Team
Inspired by her two twice-exceptional sons, Leah founded Arete Academy in 2014. Even though Leah doesn't come to school each day, she is still committed to creating an environment where bright students who learn differently can feel a sense of belonging, have the opportunity to build on their strengths, and reach their fullest potential.
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Leah Brzezinski
Founder & Executive Director
Molly joined Arete in 2016. For her entire career as an educator, she has never worked in a "typical" classroom setting. She feels that all kids are capable of great things and that working with the ones who learn differently (a lot like her!) are the most rewarding and fun.
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Molly Dunnigan
Operations Director
Molly joined Arete in 2022, and has had an incredible experience building relationships through conversations about science. Molly has a background in Environmental Science and teaching as a Naturalist. Molly makes a point to practice patience, model vulnerability and foster community as a teacher.
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Molly Longtin
Science & Technology Teacher
Coming soon!
Ethan Windschitl
Language Arts Teacher
Coming Soon!
Addison
Enrichment & Afterschool Assistant
Jamie joined Arete in 2014 because she was interested in the mission of celebrating the strengths of this unique learner population while simultaneously providing support in areas of need. She has stayed because she loves the work, relationships, and ability to see such growth in students when they are in a place that supports their potential.
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Jamie Teigan
Admissions Director
Haley joined Arete in 2016 and hasn't had a dull day since. Arete gives Haley the ability to support her students in ways that aren't usually possible in other schools and she loves being a part of this school community.
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Haley Reese
Math Teacher & Administrative Specialist
Arianna joined Arete in 2023. Arianna is in her 5th year of teaching and believes it is her job to make education as a whole work better for students. She has had an incredible experience supporting student strengths and becoming apart of the Arete community!
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Arianna Marciniak
Social Studies Teacher
Michelle joined Arete in 2023. She graduated from University of Minnesota Morris in 2020 with a degree in Psychology and French. Michelle has worn a variety of hats in the last few years- tutoring, housing resource navigator, language teaching assistant in France, and counselor at Adventures in Cardboard to name a few!
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Michelle Mathias
Enrichment & Afterschool Assistant
Coming Soon!
Katie
Health & Physical Education Coordinator