Schools Authorized By VOA
Birch Grove Community School
Charter #4145
Director: Diane Blanchette
PO Box 2242
Tofte, MN 55615
218-663-0170
www.birchgroveschool.com
Grades: K-5
Year Opened: 2005
Birch Grove Community School (BGCS) promotes academic excellence utilizing our unique natural setting allowing students to reach their potential, preparing them to become socially and environmentally responsible, self-directed, life-long learners. BGCS began operations the fall of the 2005-2006 school year and serves students grades K-5. The school serves students in a small school environment utilizing multi-age classrooms, environmental resources, and community involvement to provide a quality education to its students.
Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School
Charter #4201
Director: Liza Davis
1611 Ames Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55106
651-774-5000
www.mtcm.org
Grades: PK-6
Opened: Fall 2011
Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School (CMES) supports children from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds living in or near St. Paul’s East Side through a rigorous and high-impact Montessori program that empowers them to make positive decisions, develop self-discipline, and create a true sense of responsibility for themselves and others in their community. CMES opened in the fall of the 2011-12 school year serving children in grades K-2 and will add a grade each successive year until serving children in grades K-6. One of the guiding principles of Montessori education is the development of the whole person, with particular emphasis on the development of reason and the will, along with a lifelong love of learning.
EdVisions Off-Campus High School
Charter #4151
Co-Directors: Cathy Diaz and Gigi Dobosenski
501 Main St.
PO Box 307
Henderson, MN 56044
507-248-3101
EOC is online and does not have a physical building.
www.lovethisschool.org
Grades: 7-12
Year Opened: 2006
EdVisions Off Campus (EOC) offers students throughout Minnesota a personalized, project-based, online learning experience, leading to adults who can achieve their goals, explore their passions and find their place in the world. EOC has been in operation since the fall of the 2005-2006 school year and serves students in grades 7-12. Students enjoy opportunities for interaction with one another both through online outlets and through student planned field trips.
Global Academy
Charter #4186
Director: Helen Fisk
4065 Central Avenue Northeast
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
763-404-8200
www.globalacademy.us
Grades: K-7
Year Opened: 2008
Global Academy seeks to serve a diverse group of students. Global Academy is committed to service in the broader world based on the goals of the International Baccalaureate Organization. Empowered by academic rigor, graduates of Global Academy will be fully prepared for success and leadership in challenging high school programs. Global Academy began operation in the fall of the 2008-2009 school year and serves students grades K-8. All students have access to an internationally competitive education that will prepare them for life in a global economy. Global Academy creates a learning environment in which diverse students will develop a love of learning and become responsible, global citizens.
Green Isle Community School
Charter #4144
Co-Directors: Julie Grams and Terry Kroehler
190 McGrann Street
P.O. Box 277
Green Isle, MN 55338
507-326-7144
www.greenislecommunityschool.org
Grades: K-6
Year Opened: 2005
Green Isle Community School (GICS) is committed to providing a quality, child-focused educational program for all students. The staff collaboratively works to ensure that students receive a balanced education that includes academic achievement, physical growth, social education and character development. GICS fosters a positive and respectful multiage environment that promotes educational excellence, service learning, community connections, and responsible citizenship. GICS began operation in the fall of the 2005 – 2006 school year and serves students grades K-6. GICS is a school of excellence, one that supports rigorous and responsible academic, social, and behavioral quests. The school enriches the greater Green Isle community by establishing traditions that celebrate history and heritage.
Harbor City International School
Charter #4085
Director: John Haire
332 W. Michigan Street, Suite 300
Duluth, MN 55802
218-722-7574
www.harborcityschool.org
Grades Served: 9-12
Year Opened: 2002
Harbor City International (HCIS) is a college preparatory charter high school. HCIS is a small learning community that nurtures a sense of belonging and academic excellence. The school began operations in the fall of the 2002-2003 school year and serves students grades 9-12. HCIS prepares students for college by offering a vertically aligned curriculum that combines knowledge of skill development leading to participation in Advanced Placement coursework. Participation in our curriculum and the life of the school instills the ethics of Reach, Responsibility, Respect, and Relationships that sustains our students throughout their lives. The school supports students through a vibrant community of highly qualified teachers and staff. Education and training is provided to families for effective partnering that benefits students' achievement and goal setting for their futures. Service learning and volunteer programs serve the greater community and provide leadership opportunities for students. Our school is fiscally sound and effectively managed so that students, families, employees, and the greater community benefits from our existence.
Kaleidoscope Charter School
Charter #4118
Director: Patricia Lindeman
7525 Kalland Avenue
Otsego, MN 55301
763-428-1890
www.kaleidoscopecharterschool.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 2004
Kaleidoscope Charter School (KCS) is an educational family that cultivates inquisitive leaders who possess integrity and a passion for learning. KCS began operations in the fall of the 2004-2005 school year and serves students grades K-8. The program model includes Inquiry-based instruction, ability based instruction, leadership/character development, service learning, and a variety of educational opportunities.
KIPP Stand Academy
Charter #4191
Director: Kendra Kecker
1601 Laurel Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-381-6664
www.kippminnesota.org
Grades: 5-6 (Expanding one grade per year, will serve grades 5-8 at completion.)
Year Opened: 2009
KIPP Stand Academy (KIPP-MN) is part of the nation-wide “Knowledge Is Power Program” which is a network of free, open- enrollment public schools which is committed to the same philosophies of no shortcuts and high expectations for students. KIPP-MN began operations in the fall of the 2008-2009 school year and is approved to serve students grades 5-8. KIPP-MN’s primary goal is to prepare all of the students for success in college and beyond. To do that, the school is focused on ensuring that students develop both the academic skills and the character necessary to help them define what they stand for. Through a culture of high expectations, the school seeks to instill in our students the values of honor, curiosity, tenacity and joy.
Lakes International Language Academy
Charter #4116
Director: Cam Hedlund
246 11th Ave. SE
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-0771
www.lakesinternational.org
Grades: K-6
Opened: 2004
Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) is an IB World School, using the highly respected International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme as its curriculum model. LILA opened in the fall of the 2004-2005 school year and serves students in grades K-6. The school provides a choice of instruction in either a Spanish immersion or Mandarin Chinese immersion environment. The students of LILA are held to a high standard in traditional elementary subjects and at the same time prove capable of establishing a high level of proficiency in both spoken and written Spanish/Mandarin Chinese and English.
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.
Charter #4005
Director: Dyan Sherwood
1471 Brewster Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-224-3995
651-222-0984 tty
651-224-3975 videophone
www.mdsmn.org
Grades: PK-12
Year Opened: MDS 1993, MNSA 2004 (2009 as a merged school)
Metro Deaf School (MDS) provides a bilingual and interdisciplinary curriculum using American Sign Language (ASL) and English for students who are primarily deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. Metro Deaf School promotes academic excellence for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students using an ASL/English bilingual approach. Our primary purpose is to empower our students to develop the skills and knowledge to succeed as global citizens. The school completed its second year as a PK-12 school in June 2010. In 2009 Metro Deaf School (MDS) and Minnesota North Star Academy (MNSA) merged to become one educational entity. Metro Deaf School had been in operation since the 1993-1994 school year serving pre-school through grade eight students and Minnesota North Star had been in operation since 2004 serving students in grades nine through twelve. Since the fall of 2009, MDS has provided a seamless PK-12 education.
Naytahwaush Community Charter School
Charter# 4155
Co-Directors: Terri Anderson and Don Nordlund
242 Church Street
Naytahwaush, MN 56566
218-935-5025
www.naytahwaush.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 2005
Naytahwaush Community Charter School (NCCS) is a child-centered environment where learning is relevant and respects the traditions and wisdom of community, family and self. NCCS began operation in the fall of the 2005-2006 school and serves students grades K-6. The school is a place where children are respected as individuals, as community members with a rich cultural heritage. NCCS provides an environment where learning is relevant to the life environment of the child and his/her individual needs. High academic expectations are fostered through environmental learning, the arts and cultural exploration. NCCS promotes the whole child through challenging academics, community involvement and fostering healthy life choices.
New Visions School
Charter #4011
Director: Jennifer Geraghty
1800 2nd Street, NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612-706-5566
www.newvisionsacademy.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 1994
New Visions Academy (NVA) is a K-8 grade school located in Northeast Minneapolis. Since 1994, NVA teachers have provided students with an academic and social foundation that helps students through the integration of social skills, family involvement and academics. New Visions Academy educates students to ensure they are high school ready and college bound. As students grow and develop, they are not only encouraged to succeed academically but form lasting friendships and support their community.
Schoolcraft Learning Community
Charter #4058
Director: Scott Anderson
9500 Ruppstrasse Blvd
Turtle River Township, MN 56601
218-586-3284
www.schoolcraft.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 2000
Schoolcraft Learning Community (SLC) exists to help develop individuals to be self-directed, lifelong learners who have the skills and knowledge to confidently and compassionately navigate in the world. SLC is an environment where learning occurs through expeditions. The school opened in the fall of the 2000-2001 school year and serves students in grades K-8. Learning expeditions are long-term, in-depth investigations of a theme or topic that engage students through authentic research, projects, fieldwork, service, and adventure. SLC emphasize the fact that development of personal character for students is as important as academic growth and that, in fact, the two go hand in hand to build confident compassionate lifelong learners.
Southside Family Charter School
Charter #4162
Director: Eliza Goodwin
4500 Clinton Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-872-8322
www.southsidefamilyschool.org
Grades: K-8
Year Opened: 2006
Southside Family Charter School (SFCS) is a small school that meets the needs of a culturally and ethnically diverse population by engaging children in critical thinking and problem solving, involving children in political and social activism, encouraging creative expression, offering a wide range of electives and advocating for children and families. SFCS began operations in the fall of the 2006-2007 school year and serves students grades K-8. SFCS is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation in curriculum, and family and community involvement. Their commitment to civil rights and social justice has fostered a curriculum that develops children who are leaders in their communities and the world.
Spectrum High School
Charter #4160
Director: Vanessta Spark
10129 - 181st Avenue Northwest
Elk River, MN 55330
763-241-8703
www.spectrumhighschool.org
Grades: 9-12
Year Opened: 2006
Spectrum High School (SHS) mission is to foster academic and personal excellence through a program emphasizing high academic standards in a small school setting. SHS began operations in the fall of the 2006-2007 school year and is approved to serve students grades 6-12. SHS core philosophy focuses on students in a small school setting which provides a college preparatory education with an emphasis on technology. In addition, students are also given an opportunity to become involved in their community through a service learning program. Currently, Spectrum has nine College in the School (CIS) courses through Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
TrekNorth Junior & Senior High School
Charter #4106
Director: Dan McKeon
2520 Hannah Avenue NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-444-1888
www.treknorth.org
Grades: 9-12
Year Opened: 2003
TrekNorth Junior and Senior High School’s (TrekNorth) mission is to prepare young people to make a positive difference in their local and global communities, and to maximize student academic success by challenging and supporting individual students on an academic path that includes participation in a spectrum of vertically aligned college-readiness courses, including Advanced Placement courses. TrekNorth began operation in the fall of 2003-2004 school year and serves students in grades 7-12. TrekNorth develops leadership skills in all students through required participation in wilderness experiences and outdoor skill development, and fosters a sense of value for service through required participation in service experiences.