The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on International Spanish Language Acad
International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA) is a single-school charter district that functions as an elementary immersion school, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. Located in Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis, ISLA relocated to a permanent campus there in 2021, and free busing is available for families who live within the Edina school district boundaries. For families outside Edina, transportation is a factor to consider before enrolling. The school offers full Spanish immersion combined with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, and it recently added a fee-based pre-k program called El Nido de ISLA, making it one of the few pre-k programs in Minnesota that pairs full Spanish immersion with the IB Early Years curriculum. This creates a continuous pathway from pre-k through sixth grade for families committed to bilingual and globally oriented education.
State assessment results are available for grades three through five in math, reading, and science. Overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades places ISLA in the top quarter of Hennepin County’s school districts, a strong showing. In reading, performance is solid, with an especially high share of fifth graders meeting or exceeding standards. Math results are more variable across grades: the school posts strong rates in third grade, then the share of proficient students declines in fourth and fifth. Parents may want to ask the school how it supports math learning as students move into upper elementary grades. Science results for fifth graders are comparatively lower, suggesting this is an area the school may be working to strengthen. Since science test cut scores changed recently in Minnesota, direct year-to-year comparisons are not possible, but a family interested in science instruction may want to inquire about the curriculum and how it is integrated with the immersion model.
Enrollment is small for a district, with about 400 students across kindergarten through sixth grade. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population, which is consistent with the Spanish immersion focus, and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. Data on students receiving free or reduced-price meals, as well as those receiving special education services or English learner supports, is not reported. The school’s chronic absenteeism rate is low and among the best in the county, which suggests strong attendance habits and student engagement.
Per-pupil current spending is on the lower end compared to other Hennepin County districts. That is not unusual for a small charter; operational efficiencies often keep spending down. Families should confirm whether the school offers the array of support services they might expect from a larger district, given the leaner budget.
The move to a permanent building in Edina gives the school a stable home, and the addition of pre-k deepens its academic pathway. ISLA is a choice school, so families apply from across the region. For those drawn to Spanish immersion and an IB framework, the school provides a coherent elementary experience. The academic results are generally strong, especially in literacy, and the school’s small size allows for a close-knit community. The weaker spots in upper-grade math and fifth-grade science are areas a prospective parent may want to explore further during a visit. Because ISLA does not serve high school grades, families will need to plan for middle and high school options after sixth grade.
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