Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis Academy expects parents/guardians to be partners in the education of students. As partners, frequent communication and support are encouraged.
What grades does the Academy serve?
The Academy serves Grades 5 - 8.
Why begin with a middle school?
The middle school years are typically the most neglected in public education, resulting in a significant percentage of students who are neither inspired, nor engaged, by traditional public school environments. As a consequence, they lose their innate curiosity and interest in learning, important elements in a child's development and key predictors of that person's success or failure later in life.
What curriculum does the Academy use?
The Academy has adopted the Core Knowledge Sequence, a content-rich curriculum that focuses on student achievement and results. The curriculum encompasses a core of basic subjects at every grade level including reading, writing, math, science, history, geography, fine arts, and physical education. The Academy will continue to emphasize and focus on basic skills at every grade level with every student. In this environment, high achievement will be valued, encouraged and rewarded.
Who may attend?
The Academy is open to all middle school students in the Minneapolis area, regardless of whether they previously attended a public, private, or home school.
Are there tuition costs?
The Academy is tuition free and receives the same state and federal funds that support students in conventional public schools and will be supplemented, initially, by private, corporate and foundation grants.
What about transportation?
Transportation will be provided based on geographic proximity to the school.
What about class size?
The Academy has a student-teacher ratio of approximately 1:22.
What about student discipline and dress code?
Strong behavioral policies are enforced and a uniform dress code is required.
How will the Academy differ from a more traditional public school?
- The Academy is the only Minnesota public school with single sex classes for boys and girls. We are the state's first public middle school with single sex classes.
- Great schools require that each staff member be an effective academic and organizational leader. The Academy has the freedom to select the most talented and dedicated staff available, and to discharge teachers or administrators whose performance and commitment does not match the Academy's clear and objective expectations.
- The Academy knows that there are no shortcuts to success in academics and life. Consequently, it provides an extended day (7:30 - 4:30), in order that students may have more time in the classroom to prepare them to succeed in competitive high schools, colleges and universities.
- The Academy consistently focuses on high student performance as evidenced by standardized tests and other objective measures. Just as there will be no shortcuts, there will be no excuses.
- The absence of a large central bureaucracy enables the school to devote a larger share of public funds to the classroom, while at the same time allowing it more easily to adjust course and innovate.
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