20 New Charter Schools Open Their Doors in Fall 2004
The growth in Minnesota’s charter schools continues. This year new charter schools will open across Minnesota bringing the total number of charter schools in the state to 107 serving nearly 17,000 students. The steady growth trend will likely continue into 2005 as a number of proposed schools have obtained sponsorship and are going through a quality review process at the Minnesota Department of Education.
The Minnesota Association of Charter Schools welcomes the following new charter schools opening this fall:
- Ascension Academy, Minneapolis — Opening to 9th and 10th graders in 2004, Ascension Academy will eventually serve students in grades 9-12. The school expects the majority of its students to come from Minneapolis and several suburbs just north of Minneapolis. Ascension Academy will provide a classical education for college-bound, inner-city youth by fostering academic excellence, encouraging self-discipline based on respect and responsibility, and developing a sense of service and social justice.
- Beacon Academy, Plymouth — Beacon Academy plans to serve students in grades K-8. However, in its first year, Beacon Academy will open to grades K-3. According to the school’s director, Debbie Deer, “The school will have a four-pronged approach which includes daily Spanish instruction, Core Knowledge curriculum, character education, and high expectations for parent involvement.” The school already has 140 students and a waiting list.
- Colonel Charles Young Military Academy, Saint Paul — As one of Minnesota’s first chartered military academies, Colonel Charles Young Military Academy will serve middle school students in grades 5-8. My Lai Tenner, the school’s director, commented that, “About 70 percent of our students will come from Saint Paul, but we are drawing from all over the metro area.” The academy will open with 250 students and a mission to work with inner-city students. The goal for students is to read, write, and understand mathematics on grade level. According to Tenner, “Our mission is to make holistic students who are holistic contributors to society.”
- Dakota Area Community School, Dakota — Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, Dakota Area Community School will stress a strong core curriculum that matches the state standards. Low class sizes, character education, and enhanced learning opportunities in foreign languages, music, art, and physical education are among the offerings at Dakota Area Community School. In addition, because of the school’s location near the Mississippi River valley, the school will have a strong science component connected with the natural environment. Dakota Area Community School will serve students in grades K-5.
- Eagle Ridge Academy, Eden Prairie — In its first year, Eagle Ridge Academy will serve students in grades 6, 7, and 9. Eventually, the school will serve grades 6-12 and anticipates enrollment at 50 students per grade. The academy is currently drawing students from Richfield to Victoria and Plymouth to Lakeville. Eagle Ridge Academy will offer a classical, liberal arts education.
- Fraser Academy, Minneapolis — Located on the grounds of the Basilica of Saint Mary, Fraser Academy will open to grades K-2 in 2004 but will eventually serve grades K-5. Students are currently enrolled from ten different school districts. Fraser Academy is an inclusive public elementary school providing individualized learning programs to meet the unique needs of each student. The school will be open year round and is still accepting applications.
- General John Vessey Leadership Academy, Saint Paul — This military academy will provide an academic environment that coincides with the four star focus—academic knowledge, discipline, leadership, and character. According to Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Trenda, the school’s director, “General Vessey has endorsed this school. He was a four star general who worked as a joint chief of staff under President Ronald Reagan. General Vessey will attend our opening ceremonies.” The school will serve 100-120 students in grades 9-12.
- Great River School, Saint Paul — Great River School will be the first Montessori high school in the upper Midwest. In fact, there are only a handful of Montessori high schools in the nation. Sponsored by Hamline University, Great River School will serve approximately 100 students in grades 7-12. In its first year, it will be open to students in grades 7-10.
- Hmong Academy, Minneapolis — According to the school’s business manager, Christianna Hang, “Hmong Academy is a college-preparatory high school focused on Hmong culture. It is currently the only Hmong-focused high school in the nation.” In its first year, Hmong Academy will serve 9th and 10th graders eventually growing to serve grades 9- 12. One of the primary goals of the school is to provide a technology-infused curriculum. All students and teachers will have access to wireless technology. The school is sponsored by Concordia University.
- Kaleidoscope Charter School, Rogers — Sponsored by Volunteers of America, Kaleidoscope Charter School will serve approximately 200-230 students in grades K-8. The schools will provide hands-on learning opportunities through a multi-age classroom setting, academic service learning, community involvement, and a project-based approach to education.
- Lakes International Language Academy, Forest Lake — Lakes International Language Academy will initially serve students in grades K-4 but will add grades each year up to grade 6. The school will offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program combined with a Spanish-immersion program. All classes will be conducted in Spanish for predominantly non-native Spanish speakers. With a goal to give students a global perspective, the school is also participating in the Amity Institute teacher exchange and language ambassador programs. Enrollment will be approximately 140-160 students.
- Lighthouse Academy of Nations, Minneapolis — Lighthouse Academy of Nations will serve recent immigrants from all over the world. Current enrollment includes students originally from Sudan, Somalia, Bosnia, Iran, and Laos. The school will open to 9th and 10th graders eventually serving grades 9-12. The Ford Bell Foundation is sponsoring the school. Lighthouse Academy will provide a comprehensive English-immersion program with a global focus. In the first year, enrollment will be approximately 100 students.
- Main Street School of Performing Arts, Hopkins — Sponsored by the Hopkins School District, Main Street School of Performing Arts will serve students from all over the west metro. The school’s goal is to cultivate and challenge each individual learner’s intellectual and expressive potential in a rigorous academic and artistic setting. Performances will be held in partnership with Hopkins Center for the Arts. Enrollment will be approximately 200 students in grades 9-10. The school will add a grade each year up to grade 12. Main Street School of Performing Arts is still accepting enrollment.
- Minneapolis Academy, Minneapolis — As a middle school, Minneapolis Academy will serve students in grades 5-6 in its first year growing to serve grades 5-8. The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum and expects a high percentage of low income and English as a second language students.
- Minnesota North Star Academy, Saint Paul — The Minnesota North Star Academy will be a bilingual school specifically designed to serve students who are fluent in American Sign Language and English. Sponsored by Volunteers of America, the school expects to open with approximately 20 students in grades 9-11. The school will add 12th grade next year. Minnesota North Star Academy is currently drawing students from all over the state.
- Prairie Seeds Academy, Minneapolis — Prairie Seeds Academy will open its doors to approximately 130 students in grades K-5. The school plans to expand both in numbers and in grades to K-8 in the coming years. Sponsored by the Lao Family Community of Minnesota, the school expects to attract predominantly Hmong students with its Hmong literacy curriculum. In addition, the school will use the Peace Builders curriculum.
- River Heights Charter School, West Saint Paul — By the fall of 2006, this school will serve students in grades 7-12, but in its first year, River Heights Charter School will open to grades 9-12. Sponsored by EdVisions, the school will be project-based, student-centered, and under a shared-leadership model.
- St. Croix Preparatory Academy, Stillwater — This school will serve approximately 200 students and already has 120 students on its waiting list. According to the school’s director, Jon Gutierrez, “The school will provide three main benefits to students. There will be a focus on academics, character development, and leadership qualities.” St. Croix Preparatory Academy will open with grades K-7 and will expand upward to grade 12 over the next several years.
- TEAM Academy, Waseca — As a college-preparatory school, TEAM Academy will served approximately 175 students in grades K-6. The school will start small with about 40 students and grow over time. TEAM Academy is sponsored by the Waseca School District.
- Ubah Medical Academy, Minneapolis — According to Director Scott Flemming, “Ubah Medical Academy plans to provide the recent immigrant, refugee community the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in whatever higher education or career path they choose with a special emphasis on careers in the health sciences.” The school expects to serve predominantly Somali and Oromo students in grades 9-12. In 2004, the school will serve 120 students in grades 9 and 10.