The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Restore Program
The Restore Program is a specialized public school within St. Francis Area Schools, designated as a special education school serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It is not a charter school, and it operates as a separate setting within the district, distinct from the standard elementary and secondary schools in Saint Francis. The program enrolls a very small number of students, reflecting its highly intensive and individualized nature. Most of the students are white, with a smaller number of Black and Hispanic students represented; no data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, English learner status, or special education classification was available, though the school’s designation itself indicates that all students receive special education services.
Because the Restore Program serves a population of students with disabilities, the state testing data looks very different from what a typical school would report. In the most recent testing year, the proficiency rate for all students in both math and reading at tested grades was reported as zero. The science assessment for the tested grade was suppressed because of the very small number of students tested, a common practice when few students participate. A parent should interpret these numbers in the context of the school’s mission: this is not a general education setting where most students are expected to meet grade-level standards on the state assessment; it is a special education program where the academic focus is likely on functional skills and individualized goals. The school’s proficiency index, when compared across all districts in Anoka County, falls in the bottom quarter, but that comparison is not meaningful for this type of program. No graduation rate is reported, and no multi-year trend data exists beyond a single year, so it is not possible to see improvement or decline over time.
The community of Saint Francis sits on the northern edge of the Twin Cities metro area, mixing rural residential areas with a commercial corridor along Highway 47. The city describes itself as retaining a small-town, rural character, and it functions as a local shopping and dining hub for the surrounding region. The built environment is car-dependent, with schools and civic buildings spread along Bridge Street rather than clustered in a traditional downtown. The district itself has faced recent fiscal strain: voters defeated an operating levy referendum in late 2024, and the district has made multiple rounds of budget cuts affecting staffing and programs. That context matters because the Restore Program’s resources and staffing levels may be affected by the same pressures. The district does offer a full-time online learning option called Saints Online for families who want a virtual alternative, but that is separate from Restore’s in-person, special education setting.
For a family considering this program, the key takeaway is that this is a very small, specialized environment for students who require significant support beyond what a typical school provides. The peer group is similarly small and composed of students with disabilities, so the social and academic dynamics are unlike those in a mainstream school. A parent would want to speak directly with the program’s staff to understand the specific instructional approach, therapeutic supports, transition services, and how the school measures progress beyond state test scores. The housing market in Saint Francis is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, but no specific housing affordability data for the immediate area was available beyond a general county-level picture. The absence of data on discipline, staffing ratios, and chronic absenteeism means families will need to get those details from the school directly. The Restore Program is a niche placement, and its value is best assessed through a close look at whether its specialized services match a particular student’s needs.
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