The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kipp Minnesota Charter School
KIPP Minnesota Charter School is a single-district charter network serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Hennepin County. It operates as a single entity, not a traditional district with neighborhood boundaries, so families choose it rather than being assigned by address. The district runs two schools, KIPP North Star Academy and KIPP Legacy Academy, along with their primary counterparts, though publicly reported data shows the number of school sites recently decreased from four to two, a consolidation that would directly affect which campus a family’s child attends.
The student body is small for a K-8 system. The racial and ethnic composition is heavily concentrated, with the vast majority of students identifying as Black, a small share identifying as Hispanic, and very small shares identifying as white, Asian, American Indian, or two or more races. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of support for those populations.
State assessment results are available for math, English language arts, and science across grades three through eight. The proficiency rates are low across all tested subjects and grade levels. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was in the single digits or zero in every grade, with the highest rate in fourth grade. In English language arts, the rates were also low, with the highest in sixth grade. In science, the rates were in the single digits in both tested grades. The district’s overall proficiency index, which averages rates across all tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile among Hennepin County’s districts. A parent considering this school will want to discuss with the school how it supports academic growth and what interventions are in place.
The district’s chronic absenteeism rate is high and also falls in the bottom quartile among county districts. This is a soft spot that a family may want to explore further with the school, as high absenteeism can affect classroom continuity and individual student progress.
Per-pupil current spending is in the upper range compared to other Hennepin County districts, which may reflect the costs of operating a small charter network or the intensity of services provided.
The district serves kindergarten through eighth grade, so there is no high school graduation rate to report. The schools within the network are KIPP North Star Academy, KIPP North Star Primary, KIPP Legacy Academy, and KIPP Legacy Primary, though the most recent NCES data shows the total number of school sites dropped from four to two, a consolidation that families should confirm directly with the district when considering enrollment.
The student body is small and overwhelmingly Black, with a small Hispanic population and very small numbers of white, Asian, American Indian, and multiracial students. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education, and English learner status was not available, so a parent should ask the school about the level of support for students with diverse learning needs.
Because this is a charter district, there is no assigned attendance zone. Families choose to enroll from across the region, and the district’s location in Hennepin County means it draws from the broader Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The district brief notes that the school count reduction from four to two sites between the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years is the most significant parent-relevant change observable from available sources, and families should confirm which campuses are currently operating and what that means for their child’s daily commute and school community.
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