Woodbury Magnet School Is Closing

WOODBURY, MN — A unique arts and science magnet school in Woodbury is closing. The Perpich Center for Arts Education announced Friday that Crosswinds Arts and Science School, which Perpich has managed since 2013, will not reopen in the fall. The school served students in sixth through tenth grade.

The 43,460-square-foot building on 36 acres of land will be sold, the Pioneer Press reported:

Perpich, a state arts education agency, stepped forward in 2013 as a savior after the East Metro Integration District collaborative that started Crosswinds decided to no longer operate schools. But Crosswinds did not fare well under Perpich. The uncertainty leading up to the takeover and inconsistent management in recent years have led to staff turnover, lower enrollment and drops in test scores.

Then in January, the state legislative auditor’s office, a government watchdog, released the results of an investigation that found mismanagement at Perpich.

Perpich hoped state leaders would transfer oversight of Crosswinds to another institution, but some lawmakers were convinced the school was a lost cause, paving the way for its sale. Now, if another district doesn’t commit to resurrecting its mission, Crosswinds’ focus as an arts and science integration magnet will soon be gone.

Read much more at the Pioneer Press.

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