Original Research by School Decision on Project Search
Project Search is a special education school within the Centennial Public School District, and it serves only twelfth grade. Its enrollment is very small. The school’s grade band and type are the reason most of the conventional academic measures you might look for are absent: state testing data was not available, and no graduation rate was reported. For a program that serves a single, specialized population, these metrics often do not apply in the standard way. A parent considering this school would want to ask the district directly about student outcomes and the specific transition services the program provides.
The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and a single Black student represented. Information on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education status, and English learner status was not available. Because this is a special education school, it is designed for students with individualized education programs, though the data did not include that count.
The school is located in Circle Pines, a small suburban residential community about a moderate drive north of Minneapolis–St. Paul. Circle Pines was founded as a planned cooperative village and still operates a municipally-owned natural gas utility as a legacy of that history. The city describes itself as having a small-town feel, with oaks and elms that give a rural appearance, though homes are placed close together and the density is suburban. An extensive trail system connects neighborhoods to natural spaces on the southern and eastern sides, and the Rice Creek Regional Trail runs through the city. The civic core along Lake Drive includes City Hall, the Post Office, and an Anoka County library. Parks, a public beach, fishing pier, and community gardens are part of daily life. Housing values in the area are above the national benchmark, and typical rents consume a manageable share of household income. The population has been stable for decades, and the city is largely built out within its small footprint.
The broader Centennial Public School District has been active in shaping its offerings. In a recent referendum, voters approved an operating levy that provides ongoing funding for class sizes, student support services, and academic programming, a lasting financial anchor for families in the district. The school board also approved district-wide full-day kindergarten at no cost, beginning in a recent school year. A five-year strategic plan guides district priorities with a focus on academic excellence, social-emotional learning, and fiscal stewardship.
Project Search is not a typical high school with a broad curriculum, extracurriculars, or a general education student body. It is a specialized program for a handful of students in their final year of high school who receive special education services. Families whose child is in the Centennial district and needs this type of transition-focused setting will want to learn more from the school directly about the daily structure, community partnerships, and support for life after high school. The data available does not speak to those details, so a direct conversation with the school is essential.
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