"Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo. I do believe it. I do believe it's true." ~ Paul Simon

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, Minnesota 10 minutes south of the Mall of America. It is one of the few zoos in the country that organizes its animals in accordance with their environment, rather than by species. There are five themed areas, including three themed trails: 1) The Minnesota Trail, featuring animals native to Minnesota; 2) The Northern Trail, featuring animals north of the 45th parallel; and 3) The Tropics Trail, an indoor walking trail featuring animals from the tropics. In addition there is Discovery Bay, an activity area themed around marine wildlife and The Wells Fargo Family Farm, a petting zoo themed around farm animals. The Minnesota Zoo also houses the Minnesota School of Environmental Studies, a Minnesota charter high school with 400 students. Since it is located on the grounds of the Minnesota Zoo, a number of students work with zookeepers and scientific staff in studying animal behavior, keeping animals active and challenged, and promoting public transit to the zoo. Other partners who work actively with students to bring real-world experiences to the academic content include the Minnesota DNR, Dakota County GIS and Parks departments, Eagan Parks, and the City of Apple Valley. For more information about this unique and interesting high school visit http://www.edutopia.org/its-all-happening-zoo-school (And you thought your high school was a zoo!)