Hastings Senior High School is one of the oldest operating public high schools in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Hastings Senior High School is in Hastings, Minnesota, and is part of Independent School District 200. A new multimillion-dollar facility was established in 2001, upon which a new vision took place for the education of Hastings' students. The construction of the new school was centered on a bridge connecting the athletic portion of the school to the academic. Not only does the bridge show this important connection between academics and athletics, it also illustrates the school's dedication to "connect students to other students, and students to teachers, staff and administrators". Hastings High School has a strong connection to the community and reflects its unique heritage and tradition of progress" The school is known for its strong music program, a freshmen orientation program called "Link Crew", athletics, National Honor Society, and service to the community in which it is established. Hastings High School is also known for their national placing show choir, Riverside Company. Hastings also has an incredible special education program in the school and works with students of all abilities. The school's philosophy is revolved around a liberal arts education where students must take core classes to fulfill graduation requirements including English, social studies, mathematics, sciences, languages, and the arts, though students can also choose from a variety of business, physical education, horticulture, family studies, and industrial technology classes. Hastings enrolls about 1,800 students in grades 9-12 and has a graduation rate of 97 percent. Hastings Senior High School is positioned on over one hundred acres near the bluffs of the Mississippi River, and is home to one of the oldest active alumni associations in the country - hosting its 131st annual meeting in 2014.
