Schools Authorized By VOA
Academy of North Minneapolis
2620 Russell Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55411
763-355-7555
http://www.theanm.com
Grades: K-5
Opened: 2010
A new public charter school that provides an exemplary liberal arts education to students from North Minneapolis neighborhoods. Delivers academic programs that are specifically designed to prepare students for the post-secondary options and career paths of their choosing by accelerating their learning and holistic development.
Birch Grove Community School
PO Box 2242
Tofte, MN 55615
218-663-0170
http://www.birchgroveschool.com
Grades: K-5
Year Opened: 2005
A multi-age classroom, elementary school in far northern Minnesota designed to provide a rigorous, well-structured academic program in an area without a community school. Outdoor education and frequent work with community members are hallmarks of students’ experiences at the school.
Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School
Address, phone number and web address to be determined
Grades: PK-6
Opened: Fall 2011
A Montessori elementary school serving students in St. Paul. Cornerstone will be opening in the fall of 2011.
EdVisions Off-Campus High School
501 Main St.
PO Box 307
Henderson MN 56044
507-248-3101
800-617-7857
http://www.edvisionshighschool.com
Grades: 7-12
Year Opened: 2006
A unique, project-based online learning model available statewide, with a focus on students with disabilities, those living in far rural locations, and traditional home-schoolers.
Global Academy
4065 Central Avenue Northeast
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
763-404-8200
http://www.globalacademy.us
Grades: K-7
Year Opened: 2008
An innovative school with a focus on providing diverse students with an internationally competitive education. The school's academic program is based on the goals of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Green Isle Community School
190 McGrann Street
P.O. Box 277
Green Isle, MN 55338
507-326-7144
http://www.greenislecommunityschool.org
Grades: K-6
Year Opened: 2005
A multi-age classroom elementary school located about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities, Green Isle is designed to foster educational excellence in conjunction with service learning, community connections, and responsible citizenship.
Harbor City International School
332 W. Michigan Street, Suite 300
Duluth, MN 55802
218-722-7574
http://www.harborcityschool.org
Grades Served: 9-12
Year Opened: 2002
VOA-MN’s first authorized public charter school, Harbor City opened its doors in Fall 2000 to students interested in rigorous academic preparation for post-secondary education. Aligned with several successful education models not readily available in its region (including the International Baccalaureate Organization and Tempe Preparatory Academy in Arizona), Harbor City International School graduated its first entering senior class in 2005.
Kaleidoscope Charter School
7525 Kalland Avenue
Otsego, MN 55301
763-428-1890
http://www.kaleidoscopecharterschool.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 2004
An innovative service-learning, project-based K-8 school with the goal of integrating students, families, staff, and the larger community in an environment of dynamic learning and achievement. Kaleidoscope opened in Fall 2004 and provided one of the Twin Cities fastest growing western suburbs with an education option for parents and students weary of the very large district schools.
KIPP Stand Academy
1601 Laurel Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-287-9700
http://www.kippminnesota.org
Grades: 5-6 (Expanding one grade per year, will serve grades 5-8 at completion.)
Year Opened: 2009
The first KIPP school to open in Minnesota, KIPP Stand Academy utilizes a rigorous program that seeks to provide students with the academic skills necessary to achieve success at the college level.
Lakes International Language Academy
246 11th Ave. SE
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-0771
http://www.lakesinternational.org
Grades: K-6
Opened: 2004
A school that emphasizes Spanish language, holds students to a high standard in traditional elementary subjects, and establishes a high level of proficiency in both spoken and written Spanish. Specially-trained Spanish-speaking teachers with native or near-native fluency deliver its internationally-based curriculum.
Metro Deaf School*
*As of July 1, 2009 Metro Deaf School and Minnesota North Star Academy merged into a single PK-12 campus serving students from Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The combined school now operates under the name Metro Deaf School.
1471 Brewster Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-224-3995
651-222-0984 tty
651-224-3975 videophone
http://www.mdsmn.org
Grades: PK-12
Year Opened: MDS 1993, MNSA 2004 (2009 as a merged school)
One of very few dual-language schools in the nation focusing on traditional English and American Sign Language (ASL). Metro Deaf School is open to students in grades PK-12 and primarily serves a deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing population in a small, project-based learning environment. Students at the school received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to examine customer service toward deaf patrons in restaurants and propose methods for improving that service.
Naytahwaush Community Charter School
242 Church Street
Naytahwaush, MN 56566
218-935-5025
http://www.naytahwaush.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 2005
A K-8 school focused on providing students of the White Earth Reservation with a rigorous academic curriculum that incorporates and respects traditional tribal culture, language, and history. An Ojibwe language and cultural education component is included in the learning program not available in the traditional district school.
New Visions School
1800 2nd Street, NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612-706-5566
http://newvisionsacademy.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 1994
One of Minnesota’s first charter schools, New Visions contracted with VOA of MN for authorization in 2004. Serving high populations of low-income, special needs, and gifted students, New Visions is one of the most diverse schools in the Twin Cities, filling multiple needs for families with few options in the north-eastern neighborhoods of Minneapolis.
Spectrum High School
10129 - 181st Avenue Northwest
Elk River, MN 55330
763-241-8703
http://www.spectrumhighschool.org
Grades: 9-12
Year Opened: 2006
Started by a group of parents whose children attended Kaleidoscope Charter School in neighboring Rogers, MN, Spectrum High School offers a small, personalized learning alternative to the large district high school in Elk River. Mobile computer labs are a key component of the school’s integrated technology plan.
TrekNorth Junior & Senior High School
2518 Hannah Avenue NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-444-1888
http://www.treknorth.org
Grades: 9-12
Year Opened: 2003
A high school with a focus on combining Advanced Placement academic coursework with experiential learning opportunities in both the woods of north Minnesota and locations around the world. TrekNorth is unique among high schools in Bemidji and allows students an opportunity to learn in both the classroom and the natural environment.