New West Metro charter school accepting applicants

BROOKLYN PARK, MN – A new charter public elementary school in West Metro Minneapolis is now accepting applicants for the 2015-2016 school year.Minnesota Early Learning Academy will open in Brooklyn Park in August, initially serving about 100 students in kindergarten through grade 2, with plans to expand to pre-kindergarten through grade 5.

Any family living in Minnesota whose child will be at least 5 years old by September 1, 2015, may complete an application form (English | Spanish). If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, the school will conduct a computerized lottery on April 15. Students will be assigned to remaining seats or placed on a wait list after the lottery.

The school, located at 6717 85th Ave. North, will host anInformation and Enrollment Expo on Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event will feature activities for children and tours of a “next generation classroom” to demonstrate the school’s teaching model. In addition, the school will host an open house every Wednesday, beginning April 15, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

According to its founders, Minnesota Early Learning Academy will provide high-quality, personalized instruction to meet the needs of each child in a vibrant learning environment. Using a research-based approach, teachers will work closely with families to ensure that students develop a strong foundation to prepare for success in middle school, high school, and college.

Minnesota Early Learning Academy is authorized and overseen by Innovative Quality Schools and managed byDistinctive Schools, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and accelerating the work of charter schools serving children from traditionally underserved backgrounds. Distinctive Schools currently operates a network of high-performing charter schools in the Chicago area. Minnesota Early Learning Academy is governed by a Board of Directors composed of local community leaders.

“Families in this area now have an exciting new option for their children’s education,” said Mary Stafford, President and Chief Operating Officer of Distinctive Schools. “We cannot wait to open our doors and offer first-rate teaching and learning to the people of this community.”

The school is also recruiting talented educators to lead the school in its opening year.

For more information, visitwww.mnearlylearningacademy.org.