Where Kindergarten starts with wonder, not worksheets
A free K-8 public charter school in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood
We take a progressive, relationship-based approach to learning — educating students to be kind, curious, critical thinkers while exploring our urban ecosystem and advocating for positive change in the community.
Outside every day, all year ~ 25 kids per class ~ Low Tech ~ No homework, real skills
“When my children play school at home, they gather lots of floor pillows for flexible seating options, set up multiple work stations and circle time is back! Their play features dialogue, community building and creativity, and their family school makes frequent trips outdoors for learning and play…What I can see in my children, since starting at Northern Lights, is renewed joy in learning.”
“My kindergartener wants to make agreements anytime there is a “conflict,” (which consists of veggies at dinner or cleaning up the toy room). He also learned all of the kids names in his class in two weeks, and his attention span has increased beyond measure.”
Curious if Northern Lights is right for your family? Leave your info and we'll text you back today!
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Yes - just a few spaces open in most grades - Act fast!
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Our school day begins at 8:45 am and ends at 3:35pm.
On Fridays, we have early releases, with our school day officially ending at 2:00pm.
Our teachers use this time to be in collaboration with one another and deepen their own learning. -
Yes! We are pleased to share our bus route with Nova Classical Academy, which allows us to provide bus service to more areas of St. Paul then we could on our own. We bus within the boundaries of St. Paul. Families who live outside of St. Paul are welcome to use the bus from a stop within St. Paul.
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Before care begins at 7:30 am and after care runs from 3:35-5:30pm. The cost is $7/hour or is free for our families who receive free/reduced lunches. We also offer several after school clubs. Some examples are music class with Music on Grand, Soccer with Soccer Shots, frisbee golf and art and theater classes.
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We're intentional about technology: used sparingly, and only when it truly benefits a child's learning. Your K-6 students will not be assigned their own device.
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YES! Our students go outside for recess everyday as well as for Environmental Ed. Often, many classroom teachers will choose to take learning outdoors as well. School staff reference the wind chill chart when determining the length of time students may be outside, and in which gear, in extreme cold weather. All students have access to a shared rain or snow gear cart if they are missing proper attire.
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At St. Paul School of Northern Lights, students with special rights are fully included and valued members of the learning community — an approach modeled on Finland's inclusion practices, where all teachers adapt their strategies to support every learner. Rather than pulling students out, we use a full inclusion model, "pushing in" support as often as possible so children stay in the classroom and maintain their sense of belonging. How students show and communicate their learning varies based on individual interest and ability, but expectations stay high for everyone. Through a cooperative relationship between students and teachers, we differentiate instruction and set individual goals, guiding every child to discover their potential. Read more here.
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Our lunches are provided by Cafe Racer. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students.
For children who are a part of our after school program, a free snack is provided.
