Original Research by School Decision on Paladin Career and Tech High School
Paladin Career and Tech High School is a public charter school in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, serving grades nine through twelve. It operates as a regular school under its own charter, not as part of a larger district, though it is a single-school entity with the same name as its parent district. The school moved to a new facility at its current address for the 2022-23 school year, a relocation financed through an affiliated nonprofit building company that secured bonds and receives state lease aid to cover payments. That change is lasting and shapes the school’s physical footprint and financial obligations.
The student body is small, with enrollment distributed unevenly across grades: the senior class is the largest, and the freshman class is notably the smallest. This shape suggests that many students arrive after ninth grade or that retention is stronger in later years. The school serves a population with a substantial share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Racially, the student body is majority white, with a Black student presence that is above what you would see in many suburban schools in the area, along with Hispanic students and students of two or more races. Asian and American Indian students make up very small shares. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the sources we reviewed.
Academically, the school’s state assessment results come from a single year and cover only reading and math. The proficiency rate in English language arts was low, and the proficiency rate in mathematics was extremely low. Because there is only one year of data, there is no trend to examine, and no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism rate was reported in the data we used. That absence is notable for a school that serves all four high school grades, and a parent may want to ask the school directly about its graduation outcomes and attendance patterns. Compared to other districts in Anoka County, the available metrics were not sufficient to make a meaningful comparison, so we cannot place this school relative to its neighbors.
The name “Career and Tech” signals a focus that is not captured in the academic data we have. The school did not provide a list of specific programs or course offerings, so the nature of its career and technical education is not described here. A family considering this school would need to look into the actual pathways, certifications, or partnerships the school offers.
Coon Rapids is a residential northern suburb of Minneapolis with a suburban, car-dependent layout. The city has an extensive park and trail system, including a walkway over the Mississippi River at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and a large outdoor water park at Bunker Hills Regional Park. Major employers include a hospital, the local school district, and a community college. The city’s commercial corridors are concentrated along Coon Rapids Boulevard and the Riverdale shopping area. Civic life centers on a municipal campus rather than a downtown. The area grew rapidly in past decades and now projects steady, moderate growth.
The school’s location in a built-out suburb with a commuter rail station connecting to Minneapolis means that transportation options for students exist, though the environment is generally car-oriented. Paladin Career and Tech High School offers a small-school setting with a charter school’s flexibility and a career-focused identity, but the available state test results are weak, and key outcomes like graduation rates are missing from the record. A parent should investigate what the school’s career and technical programs actually offer and how the school supports students in reaching proficiency and graduating.
See more original research from School Decision →