Beginning in the 1950s, with the encouragement of President Arthur M. Anderson, the faculty spent long hours trying to put into words the essence of the school’s statement of educational philosophy. Since that time, the words have been reworked many times to make them more encompassing, yet precise – and the process continues.

• We believe the task of Christian Education is one shared by the school, the church, and the home.
  We seek to work in close cooperation with the home. We assume the obligations normally given to public schools by the state, and carry out those responsibilities given to us by the church.
  
  
• We believe in the equality of all persons before God.
  Insofar as we are able to meet the needs of those who support the school, we will attempt to provide a Christian education for all students, regardless of race, sex, or religious background.
  
  
• We believe in the development of the whole child.
  We seek to involve students individually and corporately in meaningful activities which will allow them to deal dynamically and creatively with their development – intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual.
  
  
• We believe that the avenues to understanding and knowledge are diverse.
  While we are eager that the scientific, historical, philosophical, theological, and artistic avenues (among others) be understood and practiced by our students, we also believe it imperative that they realize the incompleteness of each of these methods and learn to use each appropriately.
  
  
• We believe in a Christian liberal arts education.
  A liberal arts education should include an exposure to various viewpoints under the guidance and interpretation of a Christian teacher who will relate the material to the level of understanding of the student. Minnehaha is unequivocally committed to fostering growth in the Christian faith and in the development of a Christian worldview. We seek to confirm this commitment in an atmosphere that encourages openness and willingness to question. Our admonition is to "test all things; hold fast what is good." (I Thess. 5:21)
  
  We see our role as a Christian school not to shelter youth from the world in which we live but to “companion” them as they examine other ideologies.
  
  
• We believe learning is a lifelong process.
  Minnehaha endeavors to provide the tools and excitement for learning throughout life.
  
  
• We believe in the importance of building genuine Christian maturity.
  We seek to build such maturity by stressing a reliance on God’s love and grace, a commitment to Christ’s Lordship, a conscientious pursuit of truth and excellence, and a loving integrity in relationships. We hope that our graduates will display this mature Christian character, and thus permeate society with Christian influence and practice.