First Year of Operation: 2001-2002, contract with Hamline University renewed in 2004 and 2007. Current contract ends in 2010.
Accreditation: North Central Association (NCA)
Grades Served: 7th through 12th
Avalon School was approved as an independent, public charter school in December of 2000 under the sponsorship of Hamline University. The school is located on University Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, and home to over 180 students from all over the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Avalon School was founded by a small group of parents and educators who saw the need for a new type of high school to meet the needs of today’s youth and the modern work world. The founders felt that the traditional ‘assembly line’ methodology common in most high schools would not adequately prepare young people to be fully actualized members of their communities. They studied schools that work in the 21st century and from this research created Avalon. Avalon School features a curriculum built around personalized learning plans, student-initiated independent projects, seminar classes, public student presentations, and partnerships with parents and community. The school operates on a teacher owner governance model and has no principal or director. Teachers share all administrative duties. In addition, Avalon School is an affiliate member of EdVisions Cooperative.
From the beginning, Avalon has been committed to creating a supportive community within the school. The school does this by remaining small and promoting strong student and adult relationships where every student has an adult advocate and a personal learning plan. Students are placed in advisories of no more than 20 students. This group will work together for the entire year and students have the option of remaining with this same advisor for their entire high school career. This small teacher/student ratio allows teachers at Avalon to get to know their students and the families of students quite well, forging a strong partnership between the families and the school.