Original Research by School Decision on Augsburg Fairview Academy
Augsburg Fairview Academy is a small public charter high school in Minneapolis, serving grades nine through twelve. Operated as its own single-school district, it is located in the city’s Powderhorn or Phillips area near the Augsburg University campus. The school’s enrollment is concentrated in the senior class, which makes up a clear majority of the student body, a pattern that may reflect students transferring in for their final year or a smaller cohort moving through the earlier grades.
The student population is diverse. A large share of students are Black, with smaller but comparable shares of American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, and multiracial students; a very small number of Asian and white students also attend. A substantial majority of students come from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported.
State testing data is available for one recent school year, and the results show that the school faces deep academic challenges. Proficiency rates in English language arts and math were very low. These single-year results mean there is no trend to examine, but a parent would want to look into this further with the school to understand what instruction and support look like day to day. A graduation rate was not available, so a clear picture of how many students complete high school here is missing; for a school that serves a large senior class, this is a notable gap that a parent may wish to ask about directly.
Because Augsburg Fairview Academy is a charter school, it operates with its own governing board and has more flexibility in its programming than a traditional district school. The school’s website or a direct inquiry would be the way to learn whether it offers advanced coursework, career and technical education, or other special programs, as that information was not part of the available data. No recent district-level changes, such as curriculum shifts or financial referendums, were found in public sources.
Minneapolis is a major urban center. It has a dense downtown core, an extensive park system with many lakes, and a strong cultural and institutional presence, including the University of Minnesota’s main campus, major arts venues, and professional sports. The city’s job market is anchored by large corporate headquarters like Target and General Mills, as well as the university and the Federal Reserve Bank. Public transit via bus and light rail is available. The housing market in the school’s ZIP code reflects moderately priced homes compared to the state and national averages, with rents that have seen some recent upward movement. The city’s population has been relatively stable in recent years.
For a family considering this school, Augsburg Fairview Academy offers a small, close-knit high school setting in a major city. The enrollment is small enough that students are likely to be well known to staff. The student body is economically diverse in terms of need, and the racial and ethnic diversity is significant. The very low test scores and the lack of a graduation rate are substantial unknowns. A parent would need to visit, speak with the principal or a counselor, and see what the school’s approach to academic recovery and postsecondary readiness actually looks like. This is not a school with a profile that speaks for itself; the missing pieces make it one that requires a direct conversation to determine if it is the right fit for a particular student.
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