Boundaries for South St. Paul Public Schools and the City of South St. Paul's are nearly the same. The district serves approximately 3,700 students in the City of South St. Paul in two elementary schools (prek-5), a secondary school (6-12), an alternative learning center (9-12), two locations of early childhood programs (birth-5) and an adult basic education. Our mission is to ignite a passion in every learner to inquire, continuously improve and engage in positively changing our world.
We are Minnesota's first K-12 IB World Schools district, serving an internationally-focused programming through the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization. Our elementary schools are authorized IB Primary Years Program (PYP) World Schools. South St. Paul Secondary is an authorized IB World School featuring the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) for grades 6-10 and the IB Diploma Program (DP) for grades 11 and 12.
In 2015, South St. Paul Secondary also ranked #2 Best High School in Minnesota. Click here for more information.
Through our partnership with Inver Hills Community College, our seniors also have the opportunity to earn three diplomas by the time they graduate from high school. Our graduates could earn a high school diploma, an IB Diploma and an Associate in Arts degree.
Both elementary schools offer Spanish to students in grades K-5. World language courses are offered to our Secondary students with the opportunity to learn Chinese, French or Spanish.
Courses in grades 6-12 focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through implementation of the Project Lead the Way curriculum. Rather than be passive recipients of information in a question-and-answer, right-or-wrong learning environment, South St. Paul students learn to apply what they know, identify a problem, find unique solutions and lead their own learning.
Students in grades PreK-8 have access to devices such as iPads and Chromebooks. A 1:1 digital device initiative allows students in grades 6-12 anywhere, anytime access to a digital device. Smartboards are also installed in every classroom district-wide.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teaches students in grades 3-6 fundamental learning, study and academic behavioral skills. The program places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills.
South St. Paul Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or sexual orientation in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities.