The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Sejong Academy Upper School
Sejong Academy Upper School is a public charter school in Saint Paul serving grades seven through twelve. It is part of the Sejong Academy of Minnesota, a small district that operates a Korean immersion program. The school is located on University Avenue West in Saint Paul, though the district recently moved its administrative address to Maplewood, a change that may affect the commute for some families. Because it is a charter school, enrollment is open to any student in the state, not just those living in a particular attendance zone.
The school is small, with an enrollment that reflects that scale, and the student body is distinctive. Nearly all students are of Asian background, with a much smaller number of students who are Black, white, or of two or more races. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need across the school community. Data on students receiving special education services or English learner support was not available.
Academically, the school offers a clear path: it is an authorized IB World School. The Middle Years Programme covers grades seven through ten, and the Career-related Programme was authorized for grades eleven and twelve in 2025. This gives students a full International Baccalaureate pathway through high school, a structure that shapes both curriculum and expectations. The school also operates a Korean immersion program, which is the founding mission of the district and a defining characteristic of the academic experience.
On state assessments, proficiency rates in math and reading were modest in the most recent testing year, and the school’s overall proficiency index placed it above the midpoint among districts in Ramsey County, meaning its combined results were better than many of its county peers but still well below the top tier of performance. In math, proficiency across tested grades was thin. In reading, proficiency was higher but still below a majority of students meeting the standard. Science testing, which is administered only in eighth grade, showed a similar pattern. There is only one year of assessment data available, so no trend in performance can be established.
Because the school serves grades seven through twelve, a four-year graduation rate might be expected, but no graduation rate data was provided. A parent wanting to understand how many students complete high school here would need to ask the school directly. Similarly, data on chronic absenteeism was not available, so it is not possible to assess attendance patterns from the information at hand.
Saint Paul, where the school is located, is the state capital and the eastern half of the Twin Cities metro area. It is a city of government buildings, dense neighborhoods, parks, and cultural institutions, with a diverse population. Housing values in the immediate area are somewhat below the state average but close to the national benchmark, and rents are rising modestly. The Mississippi River, the state capitol complex, and a highly ranked park system are defining features of the place.
For a family considering Sejong Academy Upper School, the central question is whether the Korean immersion and IB program fits their child’s academic and cultural interests. The school is small, economically needy, and offers a specific bilingual and international curriculum. The academic results on state tests are below average for the county in some areas, though the school’s overall performance index sits above the midpoint among Ramsey County districts. A parent should visit, ask about graduation outcomes, and clarify how the IB Career-related Programme works for the upper grades, as that is the structure that will define the high school experience.
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