Moorhead Area Public Schools - Building Pathways to Success

With the 2023-24 school year now behind us, we have some time to look back at some Moorhead High School highlights!

1. Cheerleading wraps up a successful return season 

After a 13 year hiatus, the Moorhead High School Cheerleading team returned for the 2023-24 school year, Junior captain MariSol Chacon expressed pride in being a part of the team's return. The team’s first official performance since the 2009-10 school year was during the Homecoming Parade and football game on September 29. Throughout the season the squad cheered for various sports, including football, basketball, hockey and adapted floor hockey. The return added a sense of completeness to the schools activities program, by enhancing the connection of the fans and game. The team hopes to expand and compete in the 2024-25 school year. For updates, follow MHS Cheerleading on Instagram @moorheadhscheerteam. 

2. New MHS

On January 4, a new era began for MHS as classes begin inside the new building. The previous MHS, built in 1967, was given a long, fond farewell in the months leading up to the move. A farewell event was held in September where,alumni, community members and former staff walked the halls of the old MHS for the last time.Just after Christmas, the old gymnasium was decommissioned during the Moorhead Holiday Basketball Tournament, with the new gym commissioned as part of the event. With Phase 1 of the construction project concluded, Phase 2 is underway and scheduled to wrap up during the 2025-26 school year.

3.  MHS Career Academy earns National Design Distinction

The Moorhead High School Career Academy and Zerr Berg Architects were awarded an "Outstanding Design" by American School and University Magazine for their 2023 Architectural portfolio, recognizing their excellence in educational design. The Career Academy was one of three schools nationwide to receive the award in the adaptive reuse category. The Career Academy was the first leg of the three part facilities plan for Moorhead High School; the former 175,000-square foot big box store was transformed into a modern educational facility that maximizes the resources and opportunities for Moorhead students.

4. Spud Speech Extends Historic Sectional, State Title Runs

On April 5th, the Spuds Speech Team pushed their run of Section 8AA dominance to 29 straight years as section champions. This section win put the Spuds in line to once again defend their run of seven straight state crowns, In total, 26 speakers represented MHS at the Class AA State Tournament in Shakopee. Three Spuds captured individual event state titles: Eleanor Culloton (Informative Speaking); Evan Froslie (Storytelling); and Davie Judd (Serious Interpretation of Poetry). Moorhead's stellar showing earned them an impressive 19 medals, nearly matching the all-time state record and equaling their team-high from 2015. Furthermore, their outstanding 98 sweepstakes points matched records set in 2022, solidifying their place among the state's speech elite. Congratulations to the Spuds Speech Team on their eighth state title and phenomenal achievements, exemplifying the spirit of excellence and teamwork that defines Moorhead High School.

5. MHS Student Academic Ceremony 

On April 24, Moorhead High School hosted a Student Academic Award Ceremony to honor the exceptional achievements of 342 students who have distinguished themselves academically during the 2023-24 school year. During the event, the Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation alone awarded 87 scholarships to outgoing MHS students totaling an impressive $95,000. These scholarships not only recognize outstanding academic performance but also provide crucial financial assistance to deserving students as they pursue their educational aspirations. Congratulations to all the recipients for their remarkable accomplishments and to the entire MHS community for fostering an environment that values academic excellence and scholarship.