Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Dan Olson
St. Paul, Minn.

State acts to close online charter school

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Minnesota education officials are taking steps that will likely lead to the closing of BlueSky, an online charter school based in West St. Paul.

The Education Department ordered the school's sponsor, Novation Education Opportunities, to end its contract with BlueSky.

Department spokeswoman Charlene Briner says the school, which serves students in grades 7-12, has failed to remedy a string of problems -- including complaints about its math, science and social studies curriculum.

"The determination has been made that there have been major and repeated violations of state law, including the school graduating students that have not met state standards," she said.

Briner says state audits as far back as 2008 found the school was giving diplomas to some students who had not taken four years of English and three years of math.

"BlueSky can't exist without an authorizer, so if Novation doesn't take the steps to terminate the contract, the department will," said Briner. "I think it would be fair to say that BlueSky will not exist -- at least as it has in the past."

Officials from the school say they're deeply disappointed with the action, and accuse the Education Department of not having enough experience with online schools to evaluate them.

School officials have two weeks to officially respond to the state's notice.