Children thrive in learning environments that are suited to their unique strengths and abilities. We believe Northfield Public Schools families should have access to high-quality public charter schools within the district boundaries. Supporting public school choice is a priority for Northfield Public Schools, which is why we are proud to serve as the official authorizer for two outstanding charter schools: Arcadia Charter School and Prairie Creek Community School.
Our Authorizer Vision
Northfield Public Schools families should have access to high-quality public charter schools within the District boundaries.
Our Authorizer Mission
Our mission (as an authorizer) is to authorize high-quality charter schools within the Northfield School District boundaries.
Our Beliefs
Public Education
We believe that public education is the foundation of our democratic republic. Charter schools are an important part of our public education system.
Learning
We believe that everyone can learn and has unique gifts and talents that must be nurtured and valued. We believe that learning is a lifelong, multi-faceted process that involves more than academics. We recognize that students learn in different ways and that a charter school environment may better fit their individual needs than a traditional public school system.
Shared Responsibility
We believe that education is the collective responsibility of our students, families, schools and communities. As a school district, we are open to sharing that collective responsibility with other high quality public education organizations.
Learning Environment
We believe that everyone in our schools has the right to a positive learning environment that provides physical, emotional and intellectual safety, and nurtures mutual respect, responsibility and rigor. We understand that environment may be at one of our own excellent public schools or at an excellent charter school within our district boundaries.
Our Authorizer Goals
As an authorizer, our annual goals are:
- Charter schools in our portfolio will maintain at least 95% capacity of their maximum enrollment each year.
- Charter schools in our portfolio will meet a majority of their World’s Best Workforce report goals each year.
- Charter schools in our portfolio will earn the Minnesota Department of Education finance award each year.
- Charter schools in our portfolio will maintain their Board’s fund balance goal each year.
Our Authorizer Budget
Northfield Public Schools includes its authorizer budget as part of its regular general fund budget adoption process. Our annual charter school authorization budget is included as part of the annual budget planning book.