Minnesota Charter Schools

Minnesota charter schools are independent public schools operating under a contract (charter) with an authorizer. Charter schools have more autonomy than traditional district schools but receive the same state funding and are completely tuition-free.

Program Type: Free public schools with operational flexibility

Current Status: 243 charter schools serve approximately 5% of Minnesota students

Tuition: $0 – Completely FREE. No enrollment fees or tuition.

Who Can Attend: All Minnesota students. Charter schools are open to all state residents with no entrance requirements or tests.

Key Characteristics:

• Admission: Open to all Minnesota students; no entrance requirements or tests
• Enrollment: If demand exceeds capacity, schools use lottery systems to determine admittance
• Curriculum: Often feature specialized focuses—Spanish immersion, STEAM, Core Knowledge, Montessori, project-based learning, online/hybrid models
• Accountability: Held to rigorous academic standards and charter authorizer requirements
• Independence: More autonomy than traditional district schools in curriculum, staffing, and operations

Types of Charter Schools in Minnesota:

1. Traditional Brick-and-Mortar Charter Schools:

• Physical school buildings with in-person instruction
• Examples: Aspen Academy, Northeast College Prep
• Specialized focuses (STEAM, language immersion, arts, classical education)

2. Online and Hybrid Charter Schools:

• Full-time online learning or blend of online and in-person
• Examples: Cyber Village Academy, BlueSky School
• Flexible scheduling for students needing alternative learning environments

3. Specialized Charter Schools:

• Schools serving specific communities (immigrant communities, students with special needs, etc.)
• Culturally-focused programs
• Career and technical education focus

Application Timeline:

• Varies by school – many accept applications rolling (ongoing) throughout the year
• If oversubscribed: Schools use lottery systems (typically random draw)
• Strategy: Start research early; popular charters may fill before spring

Special Education: Charter schools are public schools and must comply with all federal and state special education laws. Students with IEPs are entitled to the same services as in traditional public schools.

Transportation: Policies vary by school. Some charter schools provide transportation; others do not. Check with individual schools about transportation availability.

Finding Minnesota Charter Schools: Visit the Minnesota Department of Education charter school directory

Minnesota Department of Education – Charter Schools →
Minnesota Department of Education – List of Charter Schools →