This is a guide to public and private schools, at all levels, within the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as to other topics related to education, instruction, and learning in the city.
Serving the entire city, Saint Paul Public Schools is the second largest school district in the state, and one of the most diverse. The city's K-12 population is also served by several charter schools, operated separately from the district, and numerous private schools, religious and secular.
The public school district operates sixty-seven different schools, including forty-eight elementary schools, eight middle schools, seven high schools, three alternative schools, and one special education school. The district also oversees pre-kindergarten and adult community education programs, which include early childhood programs, GED programs, language programs, and other learning opportunities.
Saint Paul was the first city in the country to sponsor a charter school in 1993, and there are now twenty-one charter schools operating in the city. Its charter schools are operated independently of the district, but administered by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Private schools in Saint Paul include several secular or non-sectarian schools, as well as Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant schools. Private schools are not answerable to the Minnesota Department of Education. Private schools may or may not be accredited, although many of them obtain accreditation and participate in achievement testing.
Saint Paul has the second highest number of institutions of higher learning per capita in the United States. These include three public post-secondary institutions, nine private post-secondary institutions, and six post-graduate institutions.
Among its institutions of higher learning are Saint Catherine University, Concordia University, Hamline University, Macalester College, and the University of St. Thomas. Also based in Saint Paul are Metropolitan State University and Saint Paul College, which focus on non-traditional students.
Besides its PK-12 and higher education schools, there are several daycare providers in Saint Paul, some of which are accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs or the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children.
Some parents decide to homeschool their K-12th grade children. In Minnesota, parents desiring to homeschool their children are required to meet minimum standards specified by the state, which includes a bachelor's degree or a passing score on the state's Pre-Professional Skills Test. Homeschooling groups may provide assistance to parents wanting to teach their children at home, while others might allow parents to pools their resources.
Online educational programs may allow students to be educated at home via established curricula.
Websites representing any of these, if located or based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, are appropriate for this category, as are other forms of education in Saint Paul, such as vocational training, driver training, or other instructional programs. Informational sites focused on education and instruction in Saint Paul may also be submitted to this category, if not already listed.
Recommended Resources
Serving students in PK-8th grade, ALA is a free, public charter school situated on the banks of Beaver Lake in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Offering the ability for students to become literate in two languages, English and either Hmong or Spanish, the faculty creates individualized learning plans to guide students to success. Office, school, and extended care hours are posted, along with contacts, directions, and a faculty and staff directory, menu, and school calendar.
https://www.achievemn.org/
Claiming to be the first charter school to begin operation in the United States, City Academy High School is a public charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Enrolling students between seventeen and twenty-one years of age, the school focuses on providing opportunities for students to move on to a post-secondary institution or to begin employment upon graduation. Its programs, history, and background information are provided.
https://cityacademy.org/
Concordia University, St. Paul
Concordia is a liberal arts university in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and an affiliate of the Concordia University System, affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Its history, accreditations, partnerships, programs and institutes, and a faculty, staff, and campus directory. An academic calendar and course directory are presented, including its teacher education and pre-professional programs, student services, tuition, and financial aid options.
https://www.csp.edu/
Faith Christian Home Educators
FCHE is a homeschooling cooperative designed to enhance the education that Christian parents in Saint Paul are able to provide for their children. Meeting on Thursdays at The Beloved Church in Saint Paul, the program offers classes, tutors, and staff to provide a supportive environment for the Christian homeschooling family. Membership information, registration, and contacts are posted, and payments may be made online.
https://faithchristianhome.net/
The tuition-free public charter school, GRS is an independent school district under the governance of its own school board, and accredited by the International Baccalaureate Program as a World School for its 11-12th grade program. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the school enrolls students in grades 7-12, and uses a Montessori method of teaching. Licensure and accreditation information is provided, along with its post-secondary enrollment options, standardized testing policies, and schedules.
http://www.greatriverschool.org/
Founded in 1854, and located in Saint Paul, Hamline was the first institution of higher learning in Minnesota, and is one of five Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities. Its history, maps, locations, and other facts about the university are provided, and its undergraduate, graduate, and law programs are highlighted, including its study abroad and online options. Admissions policies, alumni and donor resources, a campus directory, and a calendar of events are included.
https://www.hamline.edu/
The private liberal arts college was founded in 1874, and located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Its location, maps, directions, and its mission, history, offices, and services are specified, an academic calendar and catalog of courses are put forward, along with class schedules, and information about its accreditation and standards. Admissions schedules, policies, and financial aid programs are defined, and announcements are posted to the site.
https://www.macalester.edu/
Metro State is a public university in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Instructions and resources for future and current students are put forward, and its colleges, schools and departments, majors and programs, credit transfer policies, and an academic calendar are featured, along with registration data, a course catalog, and graduation requirements.
https://www.metrostate.edu/
Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School
Focusing on academics, faith formation, and character development, the Saint Paul, Minnesota Catholic school offers a K-2nd-grade program, 3-5th-grade program, and a 6-8th-grade program, each of which is highlighted here, including its religion curriculum, school liturgy, sacramental preparations, and celebration of the sacraments. School demographics, its admission process, and philosophy of education are outlined.
https://school.nativity-mn.org/
NCS is a K-8th grade STEM Charter School in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Offering small class sizes and language support, the school integrates a STEM-based curriculum with computational thinking and inquiry-based learning. An overview of its mission and methodologies are set forth, along with a school calendar, directions, and contacts. Its board of directors, administrative contacts, and a faculty directory are included, and a photo gallery is featured.
https://newcenturyschool.net/
The community and technical college is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and University System, offering associate degree programs, and certificate and diploma programs in several areas. Its academic programs, student services, campus life, and continuing education programs are highlighted. Registered students, employees, alumni, and foundation members may log into their accounts.
https://www.saintpaul.edu/
SPPS is the second largest public school district in Minnesota. Maps of school locations in the district are provided, and a list of school campuses and programs are put forth, along with demographics, assessment data, a facilities master plan, a strategic plan, staff directory, and employment opportunities. The district school board is introduced, and administrative contacts and office hours are provided.
https://www.spps.org/
Saint Thomas More Catholic School
Supported by the Catholic parish of the same name, Saint Thomas More was created in 2008 through the merger of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Luke’s parishes, which had previously operated separate schools. Located on Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the school is governed by the Canonical Administrator of the parish. Its admissions policies, registration, and financial information are put forth.
https://school.morecommunity.org/
St. Kate’s is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally established as the College of St. Catherine, the school was initially exclusive to women, but today it offers baccalaureate programs for women, as well as graduate and associate programs for men and women. Its admissions policies, financial aid and tuition, core curriculum, and student and alumni resources are outlined.
https://www.stkate.edu/
Formed in 1912, the Roman Catholic School offers classes for students in PK-8th grade, including differentiated instruction to accommodate various ability levels in math and reading, as well as Spanish, art, music, physical education, and computer classes. Situated in the Merriam Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, the school’s history, accreditation, academics, and enrollment policies are included.
https://www.stcroixlutheran.org/
St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Offering a wide range of academic, arts, and enrichment activities throughout the summer months, as well as a rich curriculum and classroom experience throughout the school year, SPA is an independent K-12th-grade school with two campuses in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Campus locations, faculty and staff contacts, and its parent associations are featured.
https://www.spa.edu/
St. Paul City School is a free charter school offering a PK-8th-grade curriculum in two buildings, a few blocks apart. The Primary School serves PK-5th-grade students, while the Middle School enrolls students in 6-8th grades. Its locations, policies, school board, and bylaws are defined, faculty and staff are introduced, and its family support services are discussed. Enrollment policies, an enrollment form, a family handbook, uniform schedules, and school supply lists are included.
http://www.stpaulcityschool.org/
Established in 2003, and affiliated with the University of St. Thomas, the private high school is an AdvancED accredited, college-preparatory school for students in 9-12th grades. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, its history and an overview of the school is put forth, its academic programs are featured, and its admissions policies, tuition, and hosting programs are defined. Student testimonials are posted to the site.
https://www.stpaulprep.org/
St. Thomas is a private, Roman Catholic and archdiocese university in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its campuses, accreditations, international and study abroad programs, seminaries, and publications are featured, along with its colleges and schools, centers, institutes, libraries, departments, and academic offices. Admissions policies are defined, including transfers, financial aid options, and online applications.
https://www.stthomas.edu/
Located on Montreal Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the Charter School offers an urban curriculum for students in grades K-6. Annual reports, financial audits, and special education data are provided, along with a student enrollment form, academy handbooks, and other parent resources. Curriculum area strategies, reading and math strategies, and a downloadable literacy plan for the school are included, and staff contacts are posted to the site.
https://www.urbanacademymn.org/
Enrolling students in K-8th grade, the free, public charter school provides bus transportation for students residing in Saint Paul, West Saint Paul, and South Saint Paul, although many of its students live in the West Side and West 7th neighborhoods of Saint Paul and West Saint Paul. General information about the school, its breakfast and lunch policies, uniform policies, technology, and school culture are discussed, along with enrollment information, and career opportunities.
http://westsidesummit.org/
