Schools and education in Minneapolis

When it comes to education and schools in Minneapolis, you’ll have plenty of choices, although the school system comes with challenges. There are some good public schools in the city, the best of which are often charter or magnet schools. A number of private schools are also available.

As with the rest of the US, the Minnesota education system is divided into three levels:

• Elementary school – Kindergarten to Grade 5
• Middle school – Grade 6 to Grade 8
• High school – Grade 9 to Grade 12

Education and Schools in the USA 

Public schools in Minneapolis

Public schools in Minneapolis are free to all children living in the city, and most students in Minneapolis attend these institutions. Children attending public school will usually attend the nearest school within their designated attendance area. They are permitted to attend a school outside their school district, provided there is space at that particular school.

Charter schools

Charter schools in Minneapolis are independent public schools operating on performance-based contracts with the local school district. While they are partially funded by the state, they have more flexibility in terms of their teaching style, policies and academic programmes. No fees are charged for charter schools, and admission is open to all children, provided there are available slots. If the demand for placements is greater than the school’s capacity, admission is determined via lottery.

Magnet schools

Magnet schools in Minneapolis are state-funded institutions that focus on specialised areas such as science, languages or the arts. MPS uses a lottery system for magnet school placement, with the enrolment season typically beginning in November and applications due by late January. In most magnet schools, attendance is determined by lottery, except where a certain level of ability must be demonstrated for admittance, such as in the case of music schools. Families planning a move to Minneapolis should note these enrolment deadlines when timing their relocation.

Useful links

• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Minnesota Department Of Education

Private and international schools in Minneapolis

Private schools in Minneapolis operate outside the public schooling system, with many offering a high standard of education. Class sizes are usually much smaller at private schools, affording more personalised interaction between students and teachers.

Admission to private schools can be more stringent and may include entrance exams and personal interviews. Competition for places at private schools can be high, so you need to plan well ahead if you intend to send your child to one of these institutions. Starting the application process at least a year in advance is recommended for the most sought-after schools.

There are few international schools in Minneapolis offering foreign curricula, but several public and private schools in the Twin Cities area offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. This globally focused curriculum is often preferred by expat parents because there are IB schools in most major destinations around the world, allowing for a relatively easy transfer between schools.

Special educational needs in Minneapolis

The Minnesota Department of Education supports children with special educational needs in Minneapolis. There is an Individualised Education Programme (IEP) Team that assesses students to determine the level of support they require. Where possible, disabled students are accommodated in mainstream public schooling, and those whose disabilities are too severe for mainstream classrooms are accommodated in specialist facilities.

There are a variety of specialised schooling options in Minnesota that cater for a spectrum of unique needs, learning difficulties or various developmental, emotional and behavioural issues. While some of these schools are publicly funded charter schools, others are tuition-based private schools.

Useful links

• Minnesota Special Education: State Department Resources
• Parent Advocacy Coalition For Educational Rights (PACER) Center
• The Arc Minnesota: Disability Advocacy And Support

Tutors in Minneapolis

Tutors in Minneapolis can be a great solution whether your child needs to catch up in a particular subject or requires some help in preparing for their SAT exams. The additional support provided by private tutors allows students to address any gaps in their knowledge, progress in a certain subject area, or simply build confidence in a new environment. This can be particularly valuable for children adjusting to American curriculum standards after an international move.

The best place to start the search for a good private tutor is by asking around at your child’s school or talking to other parents. The alternative would be to use an established tutoring service. The Twin Cities area has numerous reputable tutoring companies serving all kinds of families with diverse academic needs.

Useful links

• Varsity Tutors
• Wyzant