The reported proficiency rate for Science is 22%.
Original Research by School Decision on Avalon School
Avalon School is a small charter high school in Saint Paul, serving grades nine through twelve. It operates as its own district, and its size is a defining feature: the student body is small for a high school, which shapes nearly everything about the experience. The school describes itself as project-based and teacher-powered, a model that dates back to its founding, and publicly reported information indicates it has been in operation for a number of years.
The student population is predominantly white, with a smaller mix of students identifying as two or more races, Hispanic, Black, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the support structures for those populations.
Academically, the picture is mixed. In a single year of state testing data, the school’s proficiency rate in English language arts was strong, with a large majority of students meeting the bar. In math, the proficiency rate was lower, with roughly two out of every five students scoring proficient. A single science result from several years ago shows a lower proficiency rate, but that data point is old enough that it may not reflect the current program. Compared to other districts in Ramsey County, the school’s overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint among those that report results, placing it in the lower half of that field. The school does not have a reported graduation rate, which is notable; for a high school, that is a central metric a family would want to clarify with the school.
Saint Paul itself is a capital city with a diversified economy anchored by state government, county offices, healthcare, and professional sports venues. Its neighborhoods range from dense downtown blocks with the capitol on a hill to residential streets shaped by river bluffs and glacial valleys. The city has an extensive park system, cultural institutions like the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Ordway Center, and a Green Line light rail connecting Saint Paul to Minneapolis. The housing market in the school’s zip code reflects a value that is below the state average for homes and a rental market that has seen some upward pressure, consistent with a city that is stable in population and urban in character.
Because Avalon School operates as its own charter district, there is no larger school board or district-level administration beyond the school itself. A search for recent district-level changes such as bond referendums, curriculum overhauls, or policy shifts turned up no significant publicly reported developments, which is consistent with a small, stable charter that makes most of its decisions internally.
For a family considering this school, the takeaway is about fit. The small scale and project-based, teacher-powered model are the main attractions, and they appeal to families who want an alternative to a large comprehensive high school. The academic data shows a school where ELA performance is solid but math proficiency is an area of concern. The missing graduation rate is a gap a parent should investigate. The school is located in a capital city with strong civic and cultural resources, a varied housing market, and a light-rail connection to the broader metro area. This is not a school for everyone, but for a student who thrives in a small, self-directed environment with a project focus, it is worth a serious look.
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