Cygnus Academy in Anoka, North Lakes Academy in Forest Lake, High
School for Recording Arts in St. Paul, KIPP in Minneapolis, and Harbor
City in Duluth are part of a fascinating little noticed trend in
Minnesota public education. It's true in suburban, rural and urban
areas: Thousands of families are shifting their youngsters from
district to charter public school schools. In the last decade, the
number of students attending Minnesota's district public schools has
dropped by more than 50,000 students, while the number attending
charter public schools has increased by more than 23,000.
by Joe Nathan
Cygnus Academy in Anoka, North Lakes Academy in Forest Lake, High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul, KIPP in Minneapolis, and Harbor City in Duluth are part of a fascinating little noticed trend in Minnesota public education. It's true in suburban, rural and urban areas: Thousands of families are shifting their youngsters from district to charter public school schools. In the last decade, the number of students attending Minnesota's district public schools has dropped by more than 50,000 students, while the number attending charter public schools has increased by more than 23,000.
Ten years ago, 847,339 students attended Minnesota district public schools, k-12, while only 4915 students attended charter public schools. Last year, the charter enrollment had climbed to 28,026, while district enrollment was 796,757.
These figures are based on an analysis done by Center for School Change staff Sheena Thao and Joanna Plotz of October 1 enrollment figures that public schools submit to the Minnesota Department of Education.
Unquestionably, the vast majority of students are still in district public schools.
However, there is a strong, continuing trend over the last decade. Last year, there was a record increase of more than 4,000 students attending Minnesota charter public schools. Meanwhile district enrollment k-12 declined by more than 7,500 students.
Some people have called me, and the Center for School Change, where I work, "charter boosters." I respectfully disagree
Many reports on our website (www.centerforschoolchange.org) describe outstanding district or charter public schools. I'm trying to promote better public education, and recognize that there are terrific, average and mediocre district and charter public schools. We should be learning more from the best public schools.
What's to learn from the best charter public schools? Why are so many families shifting youngsters from district to charter? From surveys and interviews with parents and students, I hear 4 major things:
Cygnus Academy in Anoka, North Lakes Academy in Forest Lake, High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul, KIPP in Minneapolis, and Harbor City in Duluth are part of a fascinating little noticed trend in Minnesota public education. It's true in suburban, rural and urban areas: Thousands of families are shifting their youngsters from district to charter public school schools. In the last decade, the number of students attending Minnesota's district public schools has dropped by more than 50,000 students, while the number attending charter public schools has increased by more than 23,000.
Ten years ago, 847,339 students attended Minnesota district public schools, k-12, while only 4915 students attended charter public schools. Last year, the charter enrollment had climbed to 28,026, while district enrollment was 796,757.
These figures are based on an analysis done by Center for School Change staff Sheena Thao and Joanna Plotz of October 1 enrollment figures that public schools submit to the Minnesota Department of Education.
Unquestionably, the vast majority of students are still in district public schools.
However, there is a strong, continuing trend over the last decade. Last year, there was a record increase of more than 4,000 students attending Minnesota charter public schools. Meanwhile district enrollment k-12 declined by more than 7,500 students.
Some people have called me, and the Center for School Change, where I work, "charter boosters." I respectfully disagree
Many reports on our website (www.centerforschoolchange.org) describe outstanding district or charter public schools. I'm trying to promote better public education, and recognize that there are terrific, average and mediocre district and charter public schools. We should be learning more from the best public schools.
What's to learn from the best charter public schools? Why are so many families shifting youngsters from district to charter? From surveys and interviews with parents and students, I hear 4 major things:
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