BlueSky Online: Minnesota’s Best Online High School

Minnesota’s best online high school. That’s a bold statement- we know. But we can back it up. 

Many families have turned to online schooling in the last few years as public school districts struggled to adapt to online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As some schools brought students back and some adapted a hybrid structure, families felt the instability of their child’s education. 

More and more Minnesota families are looking into online schooling to avoid dealing with unforeseen changes in traditional education. As more students enter the sphere of online learning, no school is better prepared to welcome them than BlueSky.

Over 20 years of experience

BlueSky is an online public charter school that serves students in grades 6-12. Founded in 2000, BlueSky was the first state-approved Minnesota online charter school. The first graduation class in 2005 contained only 17 students. In 2022, we graduated 156 students.

Unlike traditional schools, we’ve always been online-first. Our curriculum is built for an online learning model. Our teachers design their lessons for the digital environment first. 

When most teachers were scrambling to adapt their lesson plans to Zoom in 2020, our teachers were doing what they’ve always done. 

Free tuition for Minnesota residents

In Minnesota, families have options regarding their student’s education. The state of Minnesota allows families to choose a high school that works best for their students. Because we are a public charter school, we offer free tuition to Minnesota residents. 

Full-time and supplemental programs

BlueSky offers full-time and supplemental courses. Students may enroll in our accredited and state-approved full-time program at any time.

We assign each full-time student an advisor, counselor, and social worker. This individualized support team provides students with the guidance they need to succeed.

Students who attend public school but may need help in certain areas may enroll in up to three supplemental courses. Supplemental courses include both core subjects and electives that exceed state standards.

Interactive learning

Our BlueSky teachers are masters at their craft. As Minnesota’s first online charter school, our staff knows how to adapt. Teachers are always creating new, engaging lessons to keep students interested in learning. If something doesn’t work for one student, they can adapt to that specific student’s needs. Every student deserves to learn in a way that fits their needs.

Individualized attention

At BlueSky, we have a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:100. The state average is 1:570! We also have a high number of advisors and social workers who are available to support students. With so many dedicated BlueSky staff members, you know your students will get the individualized attention they deserve.

Flexible scheduling

Each student is unique, whether they thrive in a traditional environment or online. Attending classes Monday through Friday, week after week, isn’t realistic for every student. Some students have a financial obligation to work. Others are training in elite sports or without reliable transportation.

Students who attend an online school can design a schedule that works for them. Although some classes are live, many consist of pre-recorded lectures. Online students can adjust how much time they spend or even the order in which they work on courses each day. Many have shorter class times so students can complete their work during the day. 

At BlueSky, students can choose between Group Pace or My Pace. The freedom to choose their learning environment gives students a sense of autonomy.

Group Pace

Group Pace courses are for students who prefer structure and community. These students attend classes during regular school hours. Students have frequent opportunities to interact with their peers in live learning environments.

In Group Pace classes, students must attend one or more weekly live online sessions. This ensures that all students are caught up, allowing for productive discussions.

My Pace

My Pace courses are for students who need a flexible schedule. These courses feature self-paced, independent work and variable start and end dates. This allows students to create an individualized learning experience.

Students who choose the My Pace option are still held to high expectations. BlueSky staff help students create a time management system and structure their assignments. While they have more flexibility, students learn valuable lessons in responsibility and ownership.