Opportunity High School



Location: 924 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN  55404

Program Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Students: Grades 9 through 12, all ages up to age 21

Contact: Jenni Gunga, Assistant Principal
Email: jgunga@voamn.org
 Phone: (612) 767-0023
Fax: (612) 375-0800

Intake/Counselor: Mike McMahon
Phone: (612) 767-0018

Somali Translation: Milad Hersi
Phone: (612) 375-0700

Spanish Translation: Jenni Gunga
Phone: (612) 767-0023
 
Opportunity High School is a contracted specialty school with Minneapolis Public Schools which is open to all students and specializes in meeting the educational needs of English Language Learners.  Day and evening classes offer flexibility for students to choose programs that best meet their needs.  The school’s caring, committed and qualified teachers are experts in their subject matter. 
A low student-staff ratio means more one-on-one attention for each student.

Vision
  • We envision a school where students prepare for a successful future as lifelong, independent learners -- and where our students attain valuable life skills and achieve high academic standards necessary to become active citizens of their communities.
Curriculum/Courses
  • All students learn English while achieving grade-level standards in all core academic areas such as Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies
  • Additional classes include Art, Health, Physical Education, and MCA Prep Classes
  •  Classes are grouped by English language level: Basic, Intermediate, and Advance
  • Strong focus on community service-learning within our school
Program Highlights
  • Day and evening ALC programs
  • Students earn a Minneapolis Public Schools diploma
  • Small class sizes (less than 25 students per class)
  • Strong student-teacher relationships
  • Convenient public transportation – near 3 bus lines and Franklin Avenue light rail station
  • Full computer lab
  • Volunteers and interns provide mentorship and support for extra help
  • Competency-based (non-credit) diploma transition for students over age 19 into the VOA Adult ABE Diploma Program (located at the same site as Opportunity HS)
  • Opportunities to earn additional credits through after-school ALC classes
  • Post-secondary planning, including job readiness and college preparation with a full-time school counselor
  • Extensive community involvement opportunities led by every staff member at the school
Support Services
  • Onsite social worker interns are are available to assist students with issues and problems which may be preventing success in school
  • Volunteers of America-Minnesota services are available to students including family support, mental health services and therapeutic support to foster homes
  • A full-time counselor is available and meets with every single student every quarter for individual analysis of credit needs, scheduleing, and completion of the MPS My Life Plan (MLP).  Specific components of MLP are covered in classes where topics are relevant to academic topics so that all staff are engaged in assisting students with their plan for the future.