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North Lakes Academy OK’d for high school expansion |
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Tuesday, 29 April 2008 |
Cliff Buchan
News Editor
Forest Lake could be home for a second public high school as early as 2010
North Lakes Academy, a public charter middle school serving students in grades 5-9, has been granted state approval to expand its format for a full high school offering.
That is expected to come as early as the fall of 2010, the school said this week.
The school was notified last month that its application to form a high school was approved by the Minnesota Department of Education.
“We’re excited. We’ve been working on this for about a year,” said Jackie Saunders, director.
The school is now exploring a half dozen potential sites in the Forest Lake area for the new school. Those sites include property in the Headwaters Development owned by the city of Forest Lake.
The school, located in the Flyaways Building at 255 NW 7th Ave., is making plans for the expansion.
The first change will come this fall when the school expands to offer classes for students in grades 5-10. The school’s enrollment period is open through May 9 at which time a lottery for enrollment will be conducted if needed, officials said.
To accommodate the expansion, North Lakes Academy has leased classroom space from Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake and will house its fifth and sixth grade students in the church this fall.
As many as 80 students will be impacted.
The additional grade level this fall is expected to push the North Lakes Academy enrollment from 180 students to 225 students.
A year from now, the school will enroll students in grades 5-11.
In 2010 North Lakes Academy expects to offer programs for students in grades 5-12.
School officials said the new grade 5-12 high school will offer a full program of academics and extra-curricular activities while maintaining current class sizes averaging about 20 students per class to better enable teachers to address individual needs and learning styles for students.
The goal of North Lakes Acadent is to prepare students for college, Saunders said.
Founded in 1999, North Lakes Academy provides a personalized learning environment designed to meet a wide variety of academic needs.
With strong core subjects and a full complement of liberal arts courses, NLA provides quality learning in a responsive learning atmosphere, she said.
Saunders said the expansion comes as the school prepares to launch its second decade of operation.
The new school is expected to serve a maximum of 450 students in grades 5-12 by 2011. The school will have a full lunchroom and gymnasium.
“We plan to remain small, keep standards high and have our own identity,” she said.
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