Skip To Main Content

About Us

Welcome to Salk Middle School!

About Us – Salk Middle School STEM Magnet

We are Salk — Innovating Today, Inspiring Tomorrow.

At Salk Middle School, we believe middle school is more than a transition—it’s a launchpad. As a STEM-themed magnet school serving grades 6–8, we prepare students to become curious problem-solvers, creative innovators, and confident collaborators.

Through our Pre-Engineering Magnet Program, we welcome students from our Elk River attendance area, across ISD 728, and neighboring districts through the Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD). With over 670 students and 65 staff members, our community is big enough to offer diverse opportunities while staying small enough to know each student well.

What Makes Salk Unique

  • Nationally Recognized – Proud recipient of the Magnet School of Excellence Award for multiple years, recognizing our commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence
     
  • College & Career Readiness – As an AVID Certified School, we use WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) in every classroom to equip students with lifelong skills.
     
  • Positive Culture – Through PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), we ensure Salk is a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where students thrive.
     
  • Hands-On Learning – From Science Fair to History Day, robotics to coding, music to math league, students tackle real-world challenges using the engineering design process and creative problem-solving.

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Our students benefit from community and university partnerships that expand learning far beyond our walls. Recent experiences include:

  • University of Minnesota / Wilson Library research projects
  • Junior Achievement’s BizTown
  • Minnesota Zoo science programs
  • Statewide competitions in Science Fair & History Day
  • Travel learning experiences to Florida Space Camp and Washington, D.C.

  • Exploratories and student groups such as Jazz Band, GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, & Science), Student Council, NJHS, and WEB allow students to find their passion and build leadership.

    Our Commitment

    At Salk, we integrate STEM themes across every subject area—not just science and math—so students connect what they learn to the world around them. Our staff is dedicated to creating a supportive environment that balances academic rigor with personal growth, preparing students not only for high school but for the opportunities of tomorrow.

    Salk Middle School – Where students discover, design, and dream big.

Sincerely,

Bryan Scherr
Principal