Original Research by School Decision on Online728 High School
Online728 High School is the high school component of a full-time online learning program within the Elk River Public School District. It serves grades nine through twelve and enrolls a small number of students. The district has publicly reported that this program was approved as a permanent school by the Minnesota Department of Education after earlier expansion, making it a lasting alternative for families seeking remote instruction.
The student body is small, with a modest spread across grade levels. Racially, the school is predominantly white, with small numbers of students from other racial backgrounds. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, though data on students receiving special education services or English learner support was not available.
Because the school is online, typical measures like course offerings, Advanced Placement, or dual-credit programs were not reported. State assessment data is limited: the school has results for the most recent year only, and they show low performance in English language arts and moderate performance in math relative to state expectations. With only one year of data and an online delivery model, families may want to ask the school directly about curriculum, graduation requirements, and how students are prepared for postsecondary pathways. The four-year graduation rate is not reported, which is a gap a parent would want to clarify.
The school is part of ISD 728, which serves the Elk River area. Elk River is a growing commuter town roughly a short drive from Minneapolis, with a historic downtown, extensive park system, and a mix of manufacturing and retail employers. The district recently passed a capital levy for technology, safety, and facility improvements, and also made budget reductions amid declining enrollment. The online program itself is one response to that enrollment shift, and the district has publicly positioned it as a permanent option.
The Elk River housing market shows home values around the national median and rents that are affordable relative to income, making it a viable area for families. The town has more than thirty miles of paved walkways and a historic downtown walkable on foot, though traffic is heavy on summer and fall weekends as vacationers head north. Commuter rail service to Minneapolis closed in early 2026 and was replaced by bus service.
Online728 High School fits families who want a fully remote public high school option within a district that is investing in online learning. The small size and online format mean the peer environment is virtual rather than the traditional in-person high school experience. The academic evidence is sparse, so due diligence on outcomes and curriculum is warranted.
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