The top reported proficiency rate is 7% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Venture Academy Middle School
Venture Academy Middle School is a charter school serving sixth through eighth grade in Minneapolis. It is part of the Venture Academy district, a small charter network, and operates as a regular public school under Minnesota’s charter law. The school sits in a residential area of south Minneapolis, a dense urban setting within a city that is Minnesota’s most populous and its cultural and economic center.
On the 2024-25 state assessments, student proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science are in the single digits at every tested grade level. In math, the share of students meeting the state standard is very low; in ELA and science, it is similarly low. Because only a single year of assessment data is available for this school, there is no trend to examine. Compared with other districts in Hennepin County, Venture Academy Middle School’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. A parent considering this school should weigh these results carefully and may want to discuss directly with the school how it supports academic growth and what interventions or curricula are in place.
The student body is small and highly diverse. Most students identify as Hispanic or Black; there are also small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native students and students of two or more races, and very few white students. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high concentration of low-income households. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported in the available information, so families should ask the school about special education services and language supports directly.
The school’s location in Minneapolis places it within a major city with a rich network of civic and cultural institutions, from the Walker Art Center and Guthrie Theater to the University of Minnesota’s main campus and a large park system. Housing in the surrounding area is relatively expensive, reflecting broader city trends, and the city’s population has shown a slight decline in recent years. For families living in Minneapolis, commuting patterns are typical of a dense urban environment with public transit options, but the school draws students from across the city due to its charter status.
Several details that many families look for are absent from publicly available data. There is no information on chronic absenteeism, disciplinary practices, staffing ratios, or course offerings such as advanced or elective programs. The district brief for Venture Academy turned up no recent changes in curriculum, referendums, or leadership, so the picture is largely static. A parent should visit the school to ask about the learning environment, student supports, and how the school addresses the academic challenges reflected in the test results.
Venture Academy Middle School serves a population that is overwhelmingly low-income and racially diverse, in an urban charter setting. The academic proficiency numbers are extremely low by any standard, and the school has not yet accumulated enough data to show improvement over time. For a family, the decision hinges on whether the school’s specific approach and support system align with their child’s needs—something the available figures alone cannot answer.
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