School Choice in Minnesota: Understanding Your Options
Updated October 2021
There are so many Minnesota families who come to us with the assumption that they absolutely must choose the school that is in their district or the online school that works directly with their district. Oftentimes, they’ve been misinformed, or they’re simply unaware that they have many other options for where and how to educate their student. This misinformation can be confusing! But we’re here to be advocates for school choice in Minnesota, and we want to help debunk some information in order to give you the knowledge you need to choose the best education for your student.
The MN Department of Education recognizes that by law, students in Minnesota have a choice when it comes to where they want to send their children for primary school. The options vary from open enrollment to charter schools to state-approved online schools.
We operate as an online charter school that is approved by the state of Minnesota to provide middle and high school education for Minnesota students. We understand that there is an enormous amount of confusion around the choices a family has around sending their children to school. This is not a subject that is widely talked about in traditional schools and it varies by state, two factors that add to the misinformation. Read on for some more insight into the choices you have for your student here in Minnesota.
Minnesota’s School Options
Understanding the options you have will help avoid educational situations that don’t work for your student. The majority of students in Minnesota attend traditional public schools, and those are free to attend. Just below 10% of MN students attend nonpublic schools including regular private schools. Traditional public schools are funded by federal state and local taxpayers which allows for free enrollment. Minnesota also offers other options to give families different options in order to find an educational program that works best for their students. Below we cover the three different options Minnesota offers.
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment refers to Minnesota’s public school choice option. This option allows students access to traditional public schools that are not within their district. It allows student enrollment from one school district to another, in short. The Minnesota Department of Education website has many different resources that help to answer common questions around open enrollment options. The site also provides statewide enrollment options instructions. Minnesota’s open enrollment laws give the choice to parents or families so that they can choose another option if the school in their home district isn’t working for their student.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are a popular choice for students who are seeking an alternative to a traditional school. Charter schools are independent public schools that are also an option for Minnesota students. They are open to all Minnesota students and are known to offer a unique and quality education. Parents or guardians can find a complete list of charter schools in Minnesota on the MDE website. A charter school is similar to a public school in that it is free and typically does not have stringent requirements for students who would like to enroll. Charter schools will often focus on a specific skill or student need like an immersion charter school for students who have a first language other than English.
Approved Public Online Schools
Online learning is becoming more and more popular because it is flexible and convenient. Online schools like BlueSky provide a unique way for students to get their education. Minnesota public school students have the option of enrolling in a full-time or part-time online program at any online school of their choosing.
BlueSky offers both full-time and supplemental programs to suit student needs and meet department-approved programs. All courses are taught by Minnesota licensed and certified educators and meet the state academic standards. Residents of Minnesota can attend BlueSky online school for free regardless of if they enroll in full-time or supplemental courses. For specific questions about BlueSky, contact us here.
Private Schools
Minnesota families have the option to choose a private school for their students as well. Private schools typically offer courses around religion or are structured to have smaller classrooms to give each student closer attention. Some utilize specific curriculums based on their own structure. Private schools generally do charge tuition for all students. While private schools do come with a tuition cost, Minnesota parents are eligible for tax deductions on their tuition payments and school expenses.
You have options when it comes to schooling here in Minnesota. If you’re curious about enrolling in or learning more about online school at BlueSky, feel free to check out our FAQ page and reach out anytime!
Check out National School Choice Week’s video for more information on school choice in Minnesota.
