Fridley is a northern suburb of Minneapolis and St Paul, known as the Twin Cities. The campus is conveniently located just 16 KM from downtown Minneapolis and 25 KM from downtown St. Paul. 

This gives students two cities for the price of one. Bus routes that run to both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul are within a few blocks of the campus.

Every year the Twin Cities is highly ranked as one of the best place to live in the U.S.  Click HERE to read about the ranking. The Twin Cities gets high marks for many reasons:

• Considered the U.S. Midwest cultural capital with 30 theater venues, 10 dance companies, and 60 museums.
• Home to the Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the U.S. with unbeatable savings due to no tax on clothing and shoes.
• Home to more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other state in the U.S.
• Short distance to the Mayo Clinic, considered the best hospital in the world and a destination for health care for many world leaders.
• Offers more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined with almost 15,000 lakes.
• Offers a four season climate.
• Lots of green space, parks, and clean air.

• 70% of boarding school students say that boarding school has helped them develop self-discipline, maturity, independence, and the ability to think critically
• 60% of students apply to boarding school primarily for the opportunity to get a better education
• Boarding school students spend almost twice as much time on homework versus the average public school student

Statistics provided by the Association of Boarding Schools

All the opportunities of 7-day boarding but students and their families reunite for weekends.

• Family time is for enjoying each other not for school related stress like homework or getting to and from extracurricular activities.
• Living at TG for week days means no lost commuting time for parent and student.
• Study hours during the week are supervised by faculty.
• Student have access to more academic and co-curricular activities than their local schools.
• Students can get familiar with the Twin Cities.

• Entertainment/recreation area includes ping pong table, pool table, foosball table, big screen tv, piano, video games, etc.
• Enclosed courtyard
• Study space
• Comfortable accommodations
• Home-cooked meals provided
• Family-style dining for dinner
• Laundry facilities (free use)
• Secure entry
• Indoor access to high school classes
• Wireless connections for Internet
• Access to fitness center
• Weekend activities and excursions

Student dormitory rooms have some basic items that every student needs for safety and comfort and the ability to function within a residential community.

• Single occupancy until rooms are filled
  • After, double occupancy (two girls or two boys per room) starting first with freshman, then sophomores, juniors and seniors
  • Boys and girls are always kept separate 
• Furnishings include: standard, twin size lofted bed and mattress, desk, chair, closet, dresser, window blinds/shades, waste basket

Totino-Grace dormitory residence hall floor plan. Please note the door that separates the boys wing from the girls wing is secured and alarmed:

Living in a dormitory community with other teenagers will help boarding students develop important life skills as well as independence. We encourage students to make the dorm rooms a comfortable and personal home away from home. Students are welcome to bring favorite posters or photos of friends and family. The dorm staff takes residents shopping twice a week, so many of the suggested items may be purchased upon arrival. Please click here for a suggested packing list. 
 

A Day in the Life
A typical Totino-Grace student ranges from a local individual living their life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis or St Paul, to a student from elsewhere in the U.S., to an international student who is here for a world-class education.

School day:
6:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM Before school activities (clubs, organizations, study groups, etc.)
8:15 AM Bell for homeroom
7:20 AM Homeroom begins with announcements followed by classes. Lunch takes place on campus during the school day.
2:45 PM Classes are dismissed and after school activities begin. Totino-Grace offers many co-curricular activities to students: athletics, instrumental or vocal groups, clubs, drama, service.
6:00 PM Evening meal in the dormitory 
6:45 - 10:30 PM Study time and free time
10:00 PM Lights out

Weekends: 
On the weekend, students are provided with transportation to shop and explore the Twin Cities. Resident managers also organize excursions and activities for residents.

Shanna Peterson
Assistant Director of Enrollment and International Students
shanna.peterson@totinograce.org 
763-586-6318

• Elizabeth Mueller and her husband, Michael Mueller moved into the dorm on July 28. Elizabeth will serve as Residence Center Director. They are looking forward to meeting students as soon as they arrive. Elizabeth’s husband, Michael, a full-time teacher, will be helping out as time allows. You will be communicating with Mrs. Mueller, primarily, once school begins. She can be reached at elizabeth.mueller@totinograce.org.

• Joleen Johnson, Residence Assistant: Joleen is a TG alum and graduated from The University of Northwestern - St. Paul, MN. She completed her studies in Intercultural Studies and English.  This will be her second year as a Residence Assistant.

• Sandy Hall, Chef: Sandy is a professional chef with a wealth of experience cooking in area schools and camps. Sandy loves to share her passion for cooking and baking with the residents.

• Kelly Zentic, Chef: Kelly will work two days a week, preparing healthy and delicious meals for the students.