Studio Academy Charter School

i went to studio from 2005- 2007 and the school was amazing! the teachers worked with me. even after i became a teen mother i still managed to graduate on time with with my class!
--Submitted by a student

I really wish it wasn't true, but Studio Academy is a lost cause. I'm just going to make some points here, excuse the lack of organization, and the bitterness. -A notably high turnover rate. There were 3 different directors in my four years. Only two teachers from my first year at studio are still there. -The academics are middle school fare, and we rarely get very far through the curriculum. Very low standards are set by students, and perpetuated by teachers who want to make sure every student passes their class. A single chapter in a textbook can take over a month to get through, and deadlines for projects and assignments can be pushed forward week after week. In general, uninteresting and slow moving "learning", that is unlikely to prepare anyone for college, let alone a GED. -One art teacher and one music teacher, each with very limited budgets. And mostly uninspired students. A few good artists, but not many. -A reputation for drugs, students show no discretion whatsoever advertising their drug use. -Any "small class sizes" are due to lack of attendance.

I graduated in 2004 from Studio Academy. When I first considered transferring there, many naysayers warned that I would not be able to get into college if I went to SA, or else I'd be drastically unprepared for it and end up dropping out. The majority (I'd say 80%) of my friends from Studio DID go on to college and DID graduate. Some are even getting their Master's degrees. There are success stories coming out of that school, even during the "disorganized years" at the old building. As for the education itself, it had its flaws but the teachers I had were very passionate and dedicated to their students and the school provided a lot of great opportunities for artists that are not available in any other public school in SE Minnesota. (Where else offers video production courses? Or stained glass making? Or student written, directed, acted, and produced plays?)

Studio Academy was the greatest thing I have ever done. I was only able to go there for one quarter b4 being pulled out by my dad, for personal problems, the classes had been amazing, I learned more there in that ONE quarter, than I've learned at my other school. The kids where very nice and acceptive, and the teachers where the greatest. They cared about the students much more than other schools. I hope to go back next year!! I miss EVERYTHING about it!! ~ jade
--Submitted by a student

My son has always done well - the classes are smaller so there is more time with the teachers. The teaching staff is excellent and the students love going. How many parents can say that their child/student is actually disappointed if they are sick or have to miss a day of school! State statistics are a little out of date on this website because this school is actually a 9 out of 10.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to Studio Academy after dropping out of Century High School. When I came to Studio it was the ideal learning environment because there were smaller class sizes, so all students got the help & attention they needed. It also had an air of acceptance, which I believe helped my confidence to stand up for myself & strive to meet any goal that I had.
--Submitted by a student

My Daughter goes to Stdio Academy and I am proud to say that this school has finally given her motivation to go to school for the first time since 2nd grade. In Middle school she would sob at night for being different. In 7th and 8th grade though she officially had the 'I dont give a crap about school' attitude. Its true- the first thing that appealed to her WAS its 'slacker school' reputation- but when she came she soon found that there not takeing that anymore- the new Administrator spent his frist 1/2 of 1st quarter weeding out all the kids that hurt the school more than helped it. but now its the second semester and their a good bunch of kids now- my daughter smiles again!- last semester she was even on the A honor roll. Dont judge this school for its past years- there bringing themselves up!
--Submitted by a parent

Perfect for the twenty first century,alternative ways for our changing times
--Submitted by a parent

Studio Academy is on-paper a great alternative for teens who do not fit in with mainstream education. In reality, it provides very little academic challenges, unprofessional and poor administrative guidance, and nothing to help teens with basic independant living skills. There is no follow through from administration and virtually no communication with parents. Ongoing safety issues continue to plague Studio both within the classrooms and in the parking lot. As a parent who is also a professional in the community, I would not recommend this school. My daughter does enjoy this school, but mainly because of the leniency and social aspects. If she had just started there, I would easily pull her. For only having 130 students in this school there is no attention paid to individual student needs and students are ill-prepared on all levels for successful employment skills or college/technical classes.
--Submitted by a parent

The fact is the school is not for everyone. A truly dedicated and responsible mind will be enriched by the wonderful faculty and opened to new words of academics and art. But a student that is unfocused will gain nothing more from the school than the effort they put in. It's a self paced style of learning. Many students lack the responsiblility to adapt to a free thinking enviroment and take it for granted. Then they blame the teachers for their own failure. Many succeed at the school and a closer examination will find young, talented, and brilliant minds working in unison for academic and artistic goals. It will also reveal a handful of lathargic, unambitious, and ignorent teens who don't know a good thing when they have it. No child should be bared from entry, but instead be examined for the maturity required to handle the responsibility.
--Submitted by a student