The underlying emphases of the school are multicultural learning, experiential learning, and technology as learning resources. The school reaches to the downtown community as a source of external labs, working with learning partners in the arts, government, business and other public and private sectors.

Cooperation and Collaboration
WMEP (and the IDDS) is a collaborative effort involving eleven public school districts: Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Edina, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Anthony-New Brighton, St. Louis Park and Wayzata.

Ten years of planning by parents, community leaders, architects and others in the community have resulted in a unique school that committed to a multicultural approach to education.

Admission Process
Student admission is based on an enrollment lottery held in each district. Students who reside in any of the WMEP member districts may apply. To obtain an application or to speak to someone about enrollment please contact your home school district.

Students who DO NOT reside in a WMEP-member school district are eligible for enrollment in a WMEP interdistrict magnet school as defined in Section IIA of the WMEP Student Enrollment Policies and Procedures on a space available basis, according to the following terms:
The superintendent of the student’s resident district must sign a WMEP Non-Member District Enrollment Agreement on an annual basis, guaranteeing the transfer of full funding for the student to the WMEP interdistrict magnet school during that school year.  Full funding is defined as the tuition rate for non-member districts, as annually determined by the WMEP Joint Powers Board. 

Non-member district students must provide their own transportation to and from WMEP interdistrict schools.

Print a pdf application here.

School Focus
The school is committed to providing all the tools necessary to ensure that students achieve maximum academic, creative, and social potential. The focus is on confirming best practices for a culturally and economically diverse population.

School Facility
The building itself, with its large gathering space and smaller areas, fosters school-wide and small-group community-building and interaction.
IDDS features the following:

• A design that encourages experiential learning inside and outside the building, with community partnerships and labs located in downtown Minneapolis.
• Large gathering places and home-like smaller spaces that foster community-building experiences;
• Labs for large, messy and wet projects;
• Partnership with the University of St. Thomas School of Education;
• A high standards-based curriculum that is interdisciplinary, multicultural and experientially driven;
• A music program with internal resources and MacPhail Center for the Arts that develops talents and enhances academic learning;
• A K-12 physical education program in partnership with the downtown YMCA.

Note: IDDS does not participate in interscholastic athletics. This should be considered when making the choice to seek admission. Students in the upper school may be able to participate in competitive athletics in their home districts.