#RoyalFam Newsletter

This is the final #RoyalFam Newsletter for the school year. Have a wonderful summer!

Dear Hopkins High School Families and Scholars,

As we close the 2025–2026 school year, we want to extend our sincere gratitude for your partnership, support, and trust throughout the year.

When we welcomed students and families back in the fall, we did so as an interim co-principal leadership team committed to providing stability, collaboration, and excellence for our school community. Together, we navigated a year of learning, growth, celebration, and challenge, always keeping our scholars at the center of our work.

This year, we witnessed countless examples of what makes Hopkins High School special. Our scholars demonstrated resilience, curiosity, creativity, and leadership both inside and outside the classroom. They excelled in academics, athletics, arts, activities, and service, continuing the proud tradition of being Hopkins Royals.

We are equally grateful for our dedicated staff members whose commitment to scholars extends far beyond the school day. Their passion, expertise, and care create the learning environment that helps every scholar thrive.

Throughout the year, we remained focused on strengthening teaching and learning, fostering a positive school culture, and supporting the daily operations that keep our school running smoothly. We are proud of the progress we have made together and the strong foundation that has been built for the future.

The partnership between families and caregivers, scholars, and staff continues to be one of our greatest strengths. Your involvement, feedback, encouragement, and support have helped make this year successful.

To the Class of 2026, congratulations on this significant milestone! You’ve earned and were awarded over $12 million in scholarships and grants. Our graduates will embark on a wide range of paths, including attending universities across our country and around the world, pursuing programs in the trades and service industry, military service, athletic pursuits, and taking a gap year to discover who they are as a young person. We are proud of your accomplishments and excited for the opportunities that await you. Once a Royal, always a Royal!

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited to welcome our new incoming principal, Dr. Emily Palmer, and the leadership that will guide the next chapter of Hopkins High School. We are also pleased to share that the interim leadership team will continue serving Hopkins High School next year. While our leadership roles may evolve, our shared commitment to scholar success remains unchanged.

Thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving the Hopkins High School community this year. We wish all of our scholars, families, and caregivers a safe, restful, and joyful summer. We look forward to welcoming scholars back in the fall and continuing our work together.

With gratitude,

Principal Thao, Principal Farley, Principal Ward Jr., Dr. Schank

Our Open House is Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 4:30-6:30 pm. Attendees can expect to meet teachers, engage with our community partners, and tour Hopkins High School. This is an opportunity for students and their families and/or caregivers to visit our school together and become familiar with the school before the year begins.

All ninth grade students will start their first day of school on Monday, August 31, 2026. All students in grades 10-12 will start their first day of school on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

All ninth grade students will participate in orientation on the first day of school, Monday, August 31, 2026. This is a student-focused experience designed to help students build connections, navigate the school, and feel prepared to start the year.

Buses will pick up students according to their regular transportation schedule. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

School Calendars

Hopkins High School Calendar

2026-2027 School Calendar

New Athletics Calendars

We will be closing out the 2025-2026 school year on Saturday, June 20, 2026. After that time, you will not have access to your senior's information in Infinite Campus, the parent portal.

Additionally, your senior's apps account will be deleted on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Documents and pictures stored in Google Drive will no longer be accessible.

Before June 26th:

Contact: Jen Walters jennifer.walters@hopkinsschools.org or 952-988-4521

Contact: Tari Karbula tari.karbula@hopkinsschools.org or 952-988-4521

After June 26th:

Please call our Main Office at 952-988-4500

Or, fill out the transcript request form located on the Hopkins High School website, under support, counseling, transcripts.

All senior final transcripts will be sent when they are finalized in mid-June. They will be sent to the college scholars selected on their Maia Learning account. If you did choose a college for your final transcript to be sent OR if you need to make a change to your original request, please contact the appropriate person above.

Reed Behavioral Health provided Hopkins High School with Chemical Health Counseling support for the last 2 school years. Although they will not be returning in 2026-27, we appreciate all of the work they did with and for us!

This spring, we were able to offer one "Caregiver Info Night." When we were not able to coordinate a second session, Zach Listner (one of the Reed therapists) recorded the linked presentation for anyone to watch at a more convenient time. If you have further questions or would like more information, please reach out to Zach@reedhealthcare.org, or either of the Hopkins High School Social Workers (Kelly Richey or Adrienne Savor).

Reed Behavioral Health: Chemical Health Caregiver Presentation

Greeter's Desk will be staffed throughout the summer. Building office hours will be 8:00am-3:00pm.

The Main Office will be staffed with clerical support throughout the summer. Office hours will be 8:00am-3:00pm.

Counseling Office Clerical Support: We will be fully staffed with clerical support in the Counseling Office through Friday, June 26. Office hours will be 8:00am-3:00pm. Clerical staff in the guidance office will return on Wednesday, August 5.

Administration: Schedules for administrative staff will vary throughout the summer. Please feel free to contact them via voicemail or email, and they will respond to you as soon as they are able.

Teachers: The last day for teachers was Friday, June 12, and they will return Monday, August 24.

School Counselors: The last day for counselors was Friday, June 12, and they will return Wednesday, August 12.

Yearbook Pickup: If you have not yet picked up your yearbook, you may do so at the Greeter’s desk between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm. There are no additional yearbooks to purchase, as we sold out.

Lifetouch captured photos of graduates during the commencement ceremony. Families can scan the QR code below or text 34980Grad26 to 90738* to opt-in to view photos from the ceremony.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! This celebration marks the culmination of your dedication, hard work, and achievements. We are so proud of every one of you. We have captured photos of our students at the Senior Walk and the Commencement Ceremony.

Please view with the following links:

Senior Walk Photos

Graduation Photos

Graduation Highlight Video

Full Graduation Ceremony

The senior photo is an important part of making your senior’s year memorable, and the yearbook wants to make sure each senior has the opportunity to be recognized.

Senior photos will be accepted in either of the following ways:

1. Upload a senior portrait that you take or have taken to the Jostens Website.

Please note the following instructions:

• You may only submit 1 photo. If you submit multiple photos, we will still use the first one you submitted.

• Photos are due by Dec. 1 in order for us to meet our production deadlines.

• Portraits should be a vertical head and shoulders shot in high resolution JPEG format (300 DPI or higher for actual image size)

• The file must be less than 50 MB

• All content is reviewed by the yearbook staff. Anything inappropriate will be deleted.

• No hand gestures, props, hats, sunglasses or pets

* Email confirmation will come from Jostens after successful portrait submission. Please check Spam or Junk folder, if you don't see it.

2. You may also use a Lifetouch photo taken during the 2026-2027 school year. Lifetouch will be at the school for school portraits on September 3 during the school day. If you take a Lifetouch photo and submit your own, we will use the photo you submit.

Leave any materials that need to be returned at the Greeter's Desk (Door A) during office hours.

Students with lockers were instructed to clean them out before they left for the summer. Any items left in lockers will either be thrown away or donated.

Please contact Lorenzo Farley at lorenzo.farley@hopkinsschools.org

NOTE: Summer school is Monday, June 22 through Thursday, July 16.

Please click the following link if your student is already enrolled in summer school for 2026: Summer School Welcome Letter

All Fall Sports will officially begin on Monday, August 17th, with summer waivers, captains practices and camps happening throughout the summer. If you have questions regarding summer schedules, please reach out directly to the head coach. Registration will open in mid to late July for all Fall Sports. Additional details, instructions, and timelines will be shared with families later this summer. Our process for how Sports Physicals are uploaded into the system will change. Please hold onto any new physicals until additional information is sent out.

Link to 26-27 Sports Physical Form

Additional Updates from the Athletic Office:

Beginning this fall, Hopkins Athletics will be transitioning to Bound as our new platform for athletic registration, ticketing, and scheduling.

As part of this transition:

• Bound will replace Affinity (EduTrack) for athletic registration

• Bound will replace VANCO for athletic ticketing

• Bound will replace LakeConference.org for schedules

We are excited about this move, as it will create a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for families, athletes, and fans.

In addition, virtually all Minnesota high schools have transitioned to Bound, making schedules, ticketing, and event information much easier to find when Hopkins teams compete at other schools throughout the state.

As schedules are finalized, families can begin using our new Hopkins Athletics Bound page to view team schedules and event information and download the Bound App:
https://www.gobound.com/mn/schools/hopkins

Thank you for your patience and support as we implement these updates. We hope you have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer and look forward to another great year of Hopkins Athletics!

Questions? Contact the Activities Office.

Jared Ellerson - Activities Director

jared.ellerson@hopkinsschools.org

952-988-4692

Nicole Hartert - Asst Activities Director

nicole.hartert@hopkinsschools.org

952-988-4693

Jean-Paul Frederick - Activities Coordinator

jean-paul.frederick@hopkinsschools.org

952-988-4691

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2026 and welcome to the Hopkins Alumni family! We encourage grads and parents to join the Hopkins Alumni Network and Hopkins Alumni Association on Facebook to stay in touch with classmates and have access to a wide network of Hopkins graduates who can help with job searching, mentoring, and more. We wish you all the best!

Summer training with coaching staff will be happening throughout the summer. You can sign up for individual dates or full sessions, more information and registration here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ISegy7X8yiTfUOAjrNeQlmF_TWBe85Mz/view

All current and prospective players are invited to captains practices, held Monday-Friday, 8-9:30am for the weeks of August 3rd and 10th on the high school courts!

Check the team website, hopkinsgirlstennis.com for announcements before the start of the season.

Pack a water bottle and head to a local playground this summer. We're gathering community input to shape new play spaces at our elementary schools and challenge courses at our secondary schools as part of our referendum work. Visit any of the focus group locations, try the equipment and share what works for your family. Details on our referendum page.

Hopkins Cross Country is open to students of all ability levels, from beginners to experienced runners. It’s a great way to stay active, make new friends, and connect with students from both North and West Middle Schools while training alongside high school athletes.

Summer running is available for students entering grades 6-12 this fall. Practice times and locations can be found at Hopkinscctf.org.

Interested in learning more? Click here for details.
Want to receive updates? Click here to join the email list.

The City of Minnetonka is seeking young adult applicants to serve on the city’s Sustainability Commission and Park Board for a one-year term. The leadership opportunities are open to Minnetonka residents, including students who attend Hopkins schools.

Students who serve will learn more about local government, build their resume, make an impact in their community, and inspire others to get involved.

The Sustainability Commission helps support the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan through community programs and sustainability exhibits. The Park Board reviews city park plans and helps guide future park designs.

Interested students should apply by Monday, June 22 at www.minnetonkamn.gov/boards-commissions.

• Children’s Dental Services will be back providing dental care for people of all ages at myHealth For Teens & Young Adults on Wednesday, June 24, 9 - 4 p.m.

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Please note:

To qualify for sliding fee scale with Children’s Dental,

• you must be 26 years old or younger, or pregnant.

• ineligible for Medical Assistance and provide proof that you are below the poverty level. ( this means bring in pay stubs and tax forms)

• People with an income above the poverty level will pay full prices for all services, there is not an option to slide.

When scheduling, please have families ask if they qualify for sliding fee services.

Website: https://hopkinsschools.org/schools/secondary-schools/hopkins-high-school
Location: 2400 Royals Drive, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305, USA
Phone: (952) 988-4500
Facebook: facebook.com/hopkinsroyals270/
Twitter: @HopkinsHigh270