The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Global Academy
Global Academy is a K-8 charter school in New Brighton, a suburban community in Ramsey County. The school serves roughly the same number of students at each grade level from kindergarten through eighth grade, operating without a high school component. The student body is diverse, with a substantial share of students identifying as Black, a much smaller share identifying as white, and small numbers identifying as Asian or as two or more races. A very high proportion of the student population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The school is authorized as a charter through the state of Minnesota, which means it operates independently of the local district with its own board and enrollment structure; families from across the area can apply.
Academically, the picture is mixed and shows a sharp grade-level pattern. In reading, a significant portion of third graders met the state standard, and the rate rose to a clear majority of sixth graders. Seventh and eighth grade reading proficiency settled around the majority mark. In math, the story is different. A large majority of third graders met the standard, but the rate fell steeply by fourth grade and dropped further in fifth grade, with only a very small share of fifth graders scoring proficient. Math proficiency remained low through sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. In science, the share of fifth graders reaching proficiency was extremely low, a result that parents may want to discuss with the school to understand what supports are in place. The statewide science assessment underwent changes in the most recent testing year, which limits direct comparisons with prior years. Eighth grade science proficiency was higher but still below the levels seen in the early elementary grades. Overall, Global Academy’s combined proficiency across all tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint when compared with all districts in Ramsey County, a fact that underscores the stronger early-grade results while also pointing to a notable drop-off in middle school math.
Because Global Academy does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school environment section had no information on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing; those topics are absent from the available data rather than reported as low. Parents who want to understand student support structures or behavioral climate would need to ask the school directly.
The school is an International Baccalaureate World School, a publicly reported designation that signals a curriculum framework emphasizing critical thinking and global perspectives. The district brief turned up no recent changes such as boundary shifts, curriculum overhauls, or budget referenda that would alter day-to-day operations, meaning a family can expect a stable school setting.
New Brighton itself is a primarily residential Twin Cities suburb with a mix of single-family housing and some commercial corridors. It has several lakes, Rice Creek, and Long Lake Regional Park, where the annual Stockyard Days festival is held. Historically tied to meatpacking, the city now functions as a bedroom community with scattered commercial areas and no traditional downtown; civic life centers on City Hall and parks. The city is geographically split by Interstate 35W, with a portion of the city isolated on the east side of the highway. Population has been relatively stable in recent decades with minor fluctuation. Housing values in the area are above the national benchmark but roughly in line with the state benchmark; rents have seen some increase. The local unemployment rate has held steady near the national average in recent months.
For a family considering Global Academy, the key takeaway is a school that starts strong in early literacy and math but shows a clear performance dip as students move into upper elementary and middle school, particularly in math and science. The school’s diverse, high-needs population and its IB framework give it a distinctive character for families who value that approach. High school is not part of the school, so families will need a plan for ninth grade elsewhere, likely in one of the area’s traditional public high schools or another charter. The stable district picture means no major changes expected in the near term. Parents with a child entering kindergarten may want to look into how the school supports students who start strong but struggle later, especially given the math outcomes in grades five through eight.
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