Original Research by School Decision on Home/hospital Instruction
Home/Hospital Instruction is not a school in the conventional sense. It is an alternative program within Saint Paul Public Schools that serves students who are unable to attend their regular school buildings due to medical or mental health needs. The program serves pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, and the enrollment numbers are very small, as one would expect for a temporary, needs-based service.
Because this is a program that exists outside the typical classroom setting, the standard measures of school performance do not apply. Minnesota state testing data is suppressed for the program. A single student was recorded as having taken the fourth-grade math and reading assessments in one year, and a single student took an eighth-grade science test in an earlier year, but the results were suppressed due to the very small number of test-takers. There is no proficiency rate to report, no graduation rate, and no chronic absenteeism data. These gaps are not a sign of weakness; they are a direct result of the program’s purpose: providing short-term educational continuity for students who are medically or psychologically unable to be in a school building.
The student composition is as diverse as Saint Paul itself. The small group of enrolled students includes White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic students. This reflects the broader city, which is one of the most diverse in Minnesota, with a substantial Hmong community and significant Black and Hispanic populations.
The program is housed within Saint Paul Public Schools, a large urban district. The district recently opened a new E-STEM middle school magnet, converted an elementary school into the East African Elementary Magnet, and renamed a middle school. These changes signal that the district is actively reshaping its magnet and program offerings for families who are choosing a school. For a family considering Home/Hospital Instruction, these broader district changes would matter only insofar as the student’s home school options are evolving.
Saint Paul itself is the state capital, a government and cultural hub on the Mississippi River. The city is dominated by state government employment, with a stable population and a housing market that is moderately priced by national standards. The city’s park system is highly rated, and downtown has major venues for sports and the arts. A family considering this program would likely already be tied to the district in some way, and the city’s amenities are secondary to the urgent and specific need the program addresses.
For a parent evaluating this option, the fundamental question is not about test scores or peer environment. The question is whether the student has a documented medical or mental health condition that prevents school attendance, and whether the district can provide instruction in a home or hospital setting. This program is a temporary bridge, not a school community. A parent should contact the district directly to understand the specific eligibility criteria, the amount of instructional time provided, and how the program coordinates with the student’s home school. Standard academic comparisons are not available, and a parent looking for data on college readiness or pathways should look elsewhere, as this program does not produce that information.
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