St. Anthony Village... one of the best school districts in the metro | HomesMSP

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When I first discovered St. Anthony Village decades ago before I was a Realtor, we were exploring Northeast Minneapolis, driving along St. Anthony Parkway. As we headed east we found ourselves in charming St. Anthony, and expected it was a neighborhood of Minneapolis… much as St. Anthony Park is a neighborhood of St. Paul. Not so!

What we discovered was Saint Anthony Village… incorporated in 1945, when it was still largely agricultural and rural. Today this first ring suburb between northeast Minneapolis and Roseville is uniquely positioned in both Hennepin and Ramsey counties, close to both campuses of the University of Minnesota, with easy access to both Minneapolis and St. Paul.

When I became a Realtor I quickly learned that Saint Anthony Village is well know for its outstanding schools, which do not accept open enrollment. It is not uncommon for people to buy in St. Anthony specifically to be in its exceptional school district, which has only one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. A small portion of neighboring New Brighton is also part of the St. Anthony-New Brighton school district, so you should search by school district if you want to get into these schools.

Homes for sale in the St. Anthony-New Brighton school district.

Saint Anthony Village is primarily a quiet, residential neighborhood of single family homes, but it was also the home of Apache Plaza, the second indoor shopping mall built in Minnesota, after Southdale. Built in 1961 (coincidentally the average year most of the homes were built), it was state of the art at its time with 60 stores, but the arrival of Rosedale began the demise of Apache Plaza, as its anchors moved to the new mall. Apache Plaza closed in 2004 and the new Silver Lake Village outdoor shopping mall took its place, along with a complex of new condos, townhomes, and an outdoor pond with an amphitheater for outdoor performances.

A shining star in the village of St. Anthony is wonderful Silverwood Regional Park on Silver Lake, part of the Three Rivers Park District. A former Salvation Army camp, it now features trails, art inside and out, a fishing dock, picnic grounds and a center with a cafe and art gallery. Its emphasis on the arts includes classes, art exhibitions and free outdoor summer concerts.

In the words of Eileen Cohen, an Art Educator and Exhibitions Coordinator at Silverwood Park…

Silverwood is a place that offers respite from the buzz of daily of life. It is a place that encourages creativity and challenges perceptions of art and nature. Here, you are free to learn and explore.

Take A Walk Through Silverwood Park