The HLWW administrative team includes: front – Margaret Marketon (community education director); Kelli Westling (elementary dean);
Brad Sellner (superintendent); Linda Wharram (special education coordinator); Jolie Holland (school nurse); back – Michelle Johnson
(food service director); Joe Tulkki (4.0 Transportation); Jim Schimelpfenig (middle school principal); Jason Mix (high school principal);
Jennifer Olson (elementary principal); Scott Berning (activities director); Jesse Robertson (technology director).
HLWW
By HLWW School Staff
Independent School District 2687, serving the communities of
Winsted, Waverly, and Howard Lake, is dedicated to providing
a high-quality education for its youth. With that commitment,
we strive for excellence and opportunity for each student in
every offering and activity of the school district.
The district comprises an area of about 115 square miles,
primarily in Wright County, with a portion located in McLeod
County, and a small portion in Carver County. District 2687’s
9-12 high school and 5-8 middle school are located between
Howard Lake and Winsted on Wright County Road 6. The
k-4 elementary and preschool facilities are located in Waverly
and Winsted.
Elementary schools
Both Humphrey Elementary (2012) and Winsted Elementary
(2013), grades pre-k-4, have received the National Blue
Ribbon Award from the US Department of Education.
Humphrey Elementary was recognized in 2018, for progress
in mathematics by the Minnesota Department of Education
(MDE). Winsted Elementary was recognized as a Minnesota
School of Excellence in 2014, and as a Reward School by MDE
in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Small class sizes and an environment that fosters good
teacher-student-parent relationships, allows for individualized
attention to students. Small class sizes help create an
opportunity for all students to participate in activities, too.
This allows children to work with other community members,
connecting and making long-lasting friendships.
Middle school
The middle school, grades 5-8, provides a supportive
transitional environment in which students can achieve their
full potential through a variety of exploratory opportunities.
Also, an enriching advisory program is offered to meet
students’ needs. The middle
school facility provides a quality
educational setting where
Smartboard and Chromebook
technology is used in all
classrooms.
High school
The high school was honored
by being named one of
“America’s Best High Schools”
by US News and World Report
in 2016. Out of more than
21,000 high schools, HLWW
High School was ranked in the
top 11 percent in the nation. HLWW High School earned a
Silver Medal.
A strong focus on academics at all grade levels is proven by
ACT scores which are consistently at, or above national and
state averages. Our graduates qualify for colleges of their
choice.
The high school offers courses in math, science, social
studies, language arts, physical education, technology, and
healthy living, complemented by a wide array of electives,
such as EMT-first responder, where students can earn first
responder certification; CSI: classroom (forensic science);
animal science; floriculture; Desktop Publishing; pottery;
Spanish; music-choir and band; nursing; and many more.
A wide variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and
College In the School (CIS) courses in agriculture, Spanish,
and mathematics are available in the high school, as well as
technical college credit courses that are available through
our partnership with Wright Technical Center in Buffalo.
Also offered is a nationally-recognized FFA program that