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A Minnesota online school with free and customized education that’s designed for you.
The key to BlueSky’s success is our unique approach to student support. BlueSky offers Minnesota students in grades 6-12 a world-class online education backed by unsurpassed resources and individualized attention, making us one of the top Minnesota online schools.
Customized
Here at BlueSky, we believe that every student deserves to learn in a way that is customized to their unique needs. BlueSky works alongside students, parents, and staff in order to design a program that works best for every student’s individual learning style while adhering to state education requirements as a Minnesota online school.
Supportive
The key to BlueSky’s success is our unique approach to student support. We offer students a world-class online education backed by unsurpassed resources and individualized attention. Our success as a Minnesota online school is contingent upon the success of our students, so we strive to give each and every BlueSky student the tools they need in order to feel supported and be successful.
Heritage
A pioneer in distance learning, BlueSky is the most established Minnesota online public charter school. Since 2000, BlueSky has provided a free, high- quality online curriculum to Minnesota students in grades 6 to 12. We are proud to be one of the first Minnesota online schools, offering world-class education to students from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.
BlueSky Stars
The BlueSky Advisors recognize these students for their hard work and dedication.
Dylan
Dylan is a featured BlueSky star for the month of May because of his exceptional work ethic and wonderful communication skills. Dylan has a knack for completing his weekly assignments early in school week and his time management skills are top notch. Dylan noted, “My biggest skill I have developed is realizing the more you procrastinate, it ends up making everything else worse, therefore making you work harder in the long run.” He tries his best to get things done as soon as possible, but is also careful not to rush.
Dylan, an 11th grader, came to BlueSky because he was looking for a beneficial change and his twin sister was already attending BlueSky. A big positive that Dylan communicated is that he experiences less social pressures and stress as a BlueSky student, compared to his previous school experience. In addition to that, he also enjoys his classes, the assignment content and feels he has grown as a student since joining BlueSky School.
Dylan shared, “Outside of Bluesky, I like to play video games. My favorite game is Fallout 76! Since Christmas of ‘25, going into ‘26, I have gained 152 levels. I also like to repair technology/things for fun as a hobby as it challenges me to learn new things that most people don’t every day.” Congratulations, Dylan! Keep on shining!!~Nominated by Carrie Ostman
Dusty
Many students join BlueSky with strong tech skills and some online experience. In rare situations of ‘non-techy-ness,’ a student like Dusty finds us. Moodle, Clever, PowerSchool, Zoom – it was all new to Dusty and thus started a series of phone calls with his teachers to navigate this new learning environment. Casie Hammel, his elective teacher writes, “I was very impressed with his commitment to meeting weekly on Zoom to successfully complete The Real You. He was consistently polite and a pleasure to work with.” His counselor, Grant Cameron echoed these same attributes!
Dusty is thoughtful, shows a strong math affinity and has a genuine interest in learning. These characteristics guided me to his nomination for the BlueSky Star Award. He’s very bright and reflective and we’ve seen his online engagement, writing skills and analysis increase consistently this year. Jaclyn Weber writes, “I have the pleasure of working with Dusty frequently on assignments for English 4. He always shows up with kindness, honesty, and is ready to work hard!”
Dusty shared he might have been in some trouble at his last high school and was searching for a place to earn his diploma. He recommended to others to get needed credits done first then try something new or different. “You may enjoy it or not but you still learn something. Explore your options.” He likes his life outside of school hanging with his buddies, working or spending time with his extended family. His I-Search paper centered on jobs as a dog handler with either apprenticeship or military training in this field. He is still considering his options. His advice to his younger ninth grade self, “I should have focused more on earning money.”
Congratulations, Dusty. Your team is enjoying your good work.
~Nominated by Julie Endersbe
Enzo
I’m excited to spotlight Enzo who’s mastering the art of balancing schoolwork, hobbies, and staying motivated—while still making time for fun!
One of the things Enzo loves most is baking. He has a sweet tooth and enjoys experimenting with new recipes. There’s something special about making treats and seeing if his family enjoys the creations.
When it comes to online learning, Enzo has found a routine that works. He’s discovered that it helps to break up the day by doing part of the work in the morning and the rest at night. Avoiding studying in the same space where he sleeps helps him stay focused and organized. This balance between work and rest has made online learning a more enjoyable experience.
A great school day for Enzo involves getting a solid 5-8 assignments done, making sure to get 8 hours of sleep, and staying on track with his classes. Having a good routine is key, and it’s clear Enzo knows how to keep things moving smoothly. We are so lucky to have Enzo at BlueSky!
When stress starts to build up, he’s learned how to take a step back and recharge. Whether it’s going for a walk, taking a relaxing bath, baking something new, or even playing with cats, Enzo has found plenty of ways to unwind. It’s one of the perks of online school—being able to take breaks and do things that help reset your mind.
Enzo’s motivation is driven by a mix of goals, including earning liveschool points and making the A honor roll! The recognition that comes with these achievements keeps him focused and determined to do his best.
Looking ahead, there’s something exciting on the horizon: a brand-new waterpark is opening in Enzo’s town this summer! It’s sure to be the perfect place to cool off and have fun with friends and family during the warm months.
And here’s a fun fact: Enzo has gone parasailing! Not everyone has done this or would get the chance too! Very cool Enzo! It’s clear he knows how to balance school, hobbies, and self-care. I wish Enzo continued success as he continues with the rest of the school year—and plenty of fun when summer finally arrives!
~ Nominated by Rashel Lane
Lydia
Lydia Phillips is in the BlueSky Star Award Senior Spotlight! Adding to her many incredible qualities of perseverance, strong communication and organization skills is her strong writing. In fact, I will let her tell the story: “I chose BlueSky because who doesn’t want to swap a stuffy classroom for learning in pajamas! The freedom to follow my interests was a game-changer.
I found some amazing teachers and mentors who made the whole experience even better. My biggest teacher shoutout goes to the one and only Julie Endersbe. She’s been amazing since day one—I couldn’t have asked for a better advisor, mentor, or friend. Julie always goes above and beyond, and I feel lucky to have her in my corner. I also want to give a huge thanks to my counselor, Jennifer Anderson. Without her guidance and support, I wouldn’t feel nearly as confident about my plans after high school. She’s played a big part in my success and I’m really grateful for her help.
My biggest suggestion is to try something new! You’ll discover new interests and meet some awesome people along the way. When it comes to registration, take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions — asking for help can feel tough, but there’s always someone who has the answer and is happy to help. I love going on walks and have recently gotten really into photography—it’s the perfect way to capture the beauty I see every day. Getting involved in the BlueSky community was easy because everyone here shares their passions and creativity, which made me feel right at home.
If I could talk to my 9th grade self, I’d say: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things—you’ll discover passions you never expected and meet people who inspire you. Stay disciplined, even when distractions are everywhere, because managing your time and responsibilities will open up a world of opportunities. And remember, it’s okay to ask for help—there are amazing teachers, counselors, and friends ready to support you every step of the way.
After graduation, I’m excited to go for my bachelor’s degree in science at Purdue Global! I’ve always been interested in science and finance, and I can’t wait to learn more and set myself up for success. With Purdue Global’s online classes, I’ll be able to study while still keeping up with everything else in my life. I’m looking forward to gaining new skills, reaching my career goals, and building a bright future!~Nominated by Julie Endersbe
Colton
Colten Mendiola is featured as this month’s BlueSky Star Student because he is a great example of a wonderful student AND person! Colten is a graduating senior this year! He’s excited to earn that diploma. Colten works hard on assignments and he is good with communicating with teachers and support staff. Colten’s favorite thing about BlueSky is the multitude of great resources and the excellent teachers. When asked what his favorite subject is, Colten responded, “All of them – they are all amazing and the teachers are great.” And personally, in his spare time, Colten works very hard at McNeilus Steel building garbage trucks! In fact, he’s been such a dedicated worker that as an 18 year-old he has been able to purchase his own home! Wow! This shows his dedication and tenacity! After graduation Colten will continue with his career at McNeilus Steel. He was dabbling with the idea of joining the military as well but those plans are on the back burner for now. Colten has been an superstar BlueSky student for the past 2 years and thus his advice to fellow students is, “Pay attention – it’s worth it in the long run. As much as you hate it, this is your future so shape it!” Overall, Colten is an excellent student who I am grateful to work with each week! He is a kind young man whose effort, hard work, and dedication are top notch!
~Nominated by Danielle Fackler
Thayer
Thayer Hill has been a BlueSky student for two years. He moved to online school because his public school environment was not a positive learning space. Students were preventing teachers from providing instruction by frequently disrupting the class. Here, he has found it is much easier to focus on school and learning.
He has been a great student from day one. Always getting his work completed by Friday. Thayer likes to choose what assignments he wants to do each day. He shared that “normally [he] tries to do four or five assignments each day.” When asked what advice he would give to a student coming to BlueSky, he said: “Try to get your assignments done on time so you don’t fall behind, and you need to do more next week.” He also said keeping your area organized is a big help.
In his free time, Thayer enjoys playing video games with his uncle because it’s very relaxing. Additionally, he plays the piano and loves researching shipwrecks. Recently, he picked up a book about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. In addition, he is learning to play the song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot on piano. His favorite song is “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson, which he has performed at a recital.
Thayer appreciates how our teachers are available to help when needed. He said he doesn’t experience much stress with school, unless he has a piano recital but even then he makes sure he finds balance.
Thinking about the future, he is considering a career as a Zoologist. He loves animals and wants to care for them. This summer, he is looking forward to going swimming and seeing Willie Nelson in concert this August!
It has been a pleasure having Thayer as my student for the past two years! I’m glad he is continuing his BlueSky journey next year.
~ Nominated by Dawn Mensing
Mya
At BlueSky, we love seeing students discover a genuine passion for their coursework. For one of this spring’s spotlights, we caught up with Mya W. who found her stride by blending wellness with a flexible schedule. She found that the highlight of her online learning experience was diving into the world of health and nutrition, which quickly became her favorite subject. Beyond the curriculum, her “favorite part of online school was definitely the flexibility and getting to do assignments on my own terms and being able to take my time on assignments.”
~Nominated by Janette Willenbring & Heidi Housh
Ellee
BlueSky is also proud to highlight 10th-grade supplemental student, Ellee C., whose experience demonstrates the power of flexible learning environments in supporting student mental health. Ellee began her 10th-grade year looking for a way to balance her academic needs with her mental well-being. By choosing a hybrid online schedule, she was able to keep playing in her school’s orchestra while moving some of her core classes to a more comfortable, low-anxiety online environment.
Since making the switch, Ellee has thrived. She credits the online format with helping her regain her focus and engagement. She shared, “Online learning has allowed me to be more comfortable, and I am able to do my school work on my own time. I am also able to work more hours at my job because I am done with my online assignments by midweek!”
~Nominated by Janette Willenbring & Heidi Housh
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Accreditation
BlueSky Online School’s curriculum, instruction and assessment practices, along with its governance and leadership is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
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