As St. Paul students start the school year, here’s what’s changing

With a new school year underway Tuesday, students and parents in St. Paul Public Schools will see changes to activities fees, after-school programming and some of the school buildings themselves. Here’s what families should know.

After-school programs

Due to funding restrictions, the grant-funded after-school program Flipside, previously offered at all district middle schools, will be limited to eight middle schools this school year, according to district spokeswoman Erica Wacker.

Extended Day for Learning will be available at other schools two days a week. Transportation is not guaranteed for those schools but may become available. EDL programs are taught by school staff and include interactive learning activities. The activities offered depend on staffing and student interest. Popular activities include music, debate and LEGO league and may be offered as part of Flipside or EDL programming, according to district websites.

Flipside, which runs for two hours after school each day, Monday through Thursday, is planned to start Oct. 7. EDL begins the week of Oct. 21. Transportation may be available for middle school student athletes at schools offering Flipside. Schools offering EDL will not have transportation for athletes due to availability.

Increased Athletics Fees

St. Paul’s school board approved an increase to high school athletics fees for most sports in June 2023. That increase is in its second year of a two-year phase-in. Reduced fees for students who qualify were $30 last school year and are increasing to $40 this school year, while full-cost fees are increasing to $90 from $60. According to a board presentation, fees had not increased since they were established around 1996.

Later start time

American Indian Magnet School is returning to a 9:30 a.m. start time after previously starting at 8:30 a.m. due to limited transportation availability, according to Wacker. The school is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 27 to commemorate the completion of its five-year building renovation.

Building and location updates

Gateway to College will now be co-located with LEAP High School at former John A. Johnson Elementary at 740 York Ave. LEAP High School moved into the location last year and occupies the third and fourth floors, while Gateway to College occupies the second floor. Gateway to College previously operated from the St. Paul College campus.

Hidden River Middle School students are spending the school year in the Wilson building, at 631 Albert St. N., while their 1700 Summit Ave. school undergoes an estimated $43 million renovation. Other big renovation projects this school year are underway at Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School, Bruce Vento Elementary School and Highland Park Middle School.

Language and culture programming

The two-building Txuj Ci HMong Language and Culture school is adjusting its student mix, moving fifth-grade classes from the lower campus to the upper campus.

Also, a Karen language and culture program will be offered to Wellstone Elementary kindergarten students for the first time this year. Karen language courses already are provided at several district middle and high schools.

Meal price increase

Staff and adult meal prices have increased to $3 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch this school year. Some additional meal items have also increased in price. All students will continue to receive one free school breakfast and lunch per school day. Students will be charged for single-item purchases. Families are encouraged to fill out an application for Educational Benefits, which is used to inform service funding. That application can be found at spps.org/about/departments/nutrition-services.

3DE programming

SPPS is partnering with Junior Achievement North, a career-readiness organization, to offer 3DE programming that will bring professionals into high school classrooms as part of a project-based curriculum. The program will be offered at Como Park Senior High and Washington Technology Magnet.

New leadership

Five St. Paul schools will have new principals this school year: Elizabeth Cherek at Eastern Heights Elementary, Micaela Smith at Focus Beyond Transition Services, LaKisha Franks at Global Arts Plus Lower Campus, Hibaq Mohamed at Highland Park Middle School, and Gina Hass at Cherokee Heights Elementary.

Moving from interim principal positions into full-time roles are Julie Hutcheson-Downwind at American Indian Magnet School and Tony Chlebecek at Harding High School.

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