Our Schools
Our schools create an environment that fosters positive teacher-student-parent relationships, allowing for individualized attention. Small class sizes help create an opportunity for all students to participate in activities and in their communities.
Our District
Independent School District 2687, serving the communities of Winsted, Waverly, and Howard Lake, provides a high-quality education for its youth. With that commitment, we strive for excellence and opportunity for each student in every offering and activity.
Our Community
Located just west of the Metro, Howard Lake, Waverly, and Winsted have a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. Our schools are at the center of many things our communities celebrate.
Welcome to Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools
Homecoming Week Wrap Up
Homecoming week is a fun time for students and community members each year. This year’s Theme was “Mama Mia” The week started off with the traditional Seniors vs Juniors friendly competitions where the boys play volleyball and the girls play football. The seniors, thanks in part to some senior officiating, were victorious in both games. All week the students showed their school spirit through a multitude of dress up days.
On Monday, we hosted coronation. This year’s homecoming court consisted of king candidates: LJ Dinehart, Logan Diers, Zach Murphy, Dylan Forcier Lane Tussing, Timmy Webber, and queen candidates: Kylah Zillmer, Cooper Eastlack, Abby Dahl, Kirsten Heber, Yami Blas, and Ava Fiecke.
In the end, Lane Tussing was crowned prince, Yami Blas was crowned princess, Timmy Webber was crowned King, and Ava Fiecke was crowned Queen. Joining them on the track are the Holy Trinity Homecoming King, “Eurius” Tran Bao Gia and the Holy Trinity Queen Elizabeth Mendiola
Tuesday we celebrated our home volleyball game vs Kimball which the Lakers went home victorious following a program wide sweep of the Cubs.
Also on Tuesday, our Cross Country Runners competed at their meet in Watertown. Last week, the team hosted its first home invitational in many years at the MS/HS campus. Their postseason begins next week at Litchfield when they compete in the conference championship. Good Luck Runners!
Friday was kicked off by the Leadership Council and Cheer Team greeting the students at the MS/HS with High Five Friday! The positive energy giving behavior set the stage for an exciting day! The middle school and high school pepfests were filled with fun activities that brought lots of smiles and laughs. A huge crowd showed up to the tailgate and football game in the evening. A new attendance record of over 1500 people were there as the Lakers took on Watertown-Mayer. The home team came away victorious, 28-21, over the visiting Royals. The game ended a stretch of over 30 years without the Lakers and Royals meeting on the gridiron.
The last event for the week was the HS Homecoming Dance where over 200 students came together to cap off the week’s festivities. Homecoming 2025 will definitely be a week to remember. Laker Spirit was in full swing, and it was a great way to celebrate the first 6 weeks of the school year.
HLWW School Board Votes to Add Student Members to Board
The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (HLWW) School Board recently approved the addition of three student representatives to the board at its October meeting. The board is adding the student board member positions to ensure that they hear the voices of students as decisions are made, as well as create new opportunities for students to engage as leaders.
“We are looking forward to having students engage more directly with the board as decisions are made, and we also believe this could be a great experience for students,” said Shannah Mulvihill, vice chair of the board. “It’s a great opportunity, and a great step for our district.”
According to the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA), approximately 95 school districts in Minnesota have at least one student representative on their boards. Those school boards have anecdotally reported better functioning boards, as student representative input makes board members more aware of the needs of the students and, as a result, board members make more informed decisions.
The role of student members will be advisory in nature, and student members will not be given the right to vote. However, they will attend school board meetings along with elected board members, represent their peers and serve as a bridge between students and district leaders.
Dr. Dan Edwards, HLWW’s superintendent, commented on the value of providing opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and learn how education policy is made.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s school board members, city council members and other elected officials,” said Dr. Edwards.
Student membership to the board will provide a unique opportunity for students to represent their peers, develop leadership skills and have a voice in the decisions that shape their school experience.
Student board members will be chosen in three ways: one member will be appointed from within the student council executive team, one member will be elected by HLWW high school students, and one member will be selected by the HLWW School Board.
Student members will generally serve one-year terms, from June 1 to May 31. For the 2025-2026 school year, terms will be shorter, beginning in October/November. To be eligible for board membership, students must be in Grade 10 or above and be in good standing/eligible to participate in activities.
To be considered for board membership, students can complete an online application here, or they can contact one of the student council advisors.
