There are two charter schools in Woodbury and some kids who live here attend charter schools outside of the city, but there is still confusion about what charter schools’ nature is.
The 180 charter schools in Minnesota are all public schools. They cannot charge tuition or show favoritism in admitting students. Each charter school functions like a very tiny school district and is obligated to meet all the laws and responsibilities of every other district in the state.
Charter schools are governed and operated jointly by licensed teachers, parents, and community members. In 1991 Minnesota became the first state to authorize charters. Each nonprofit entity is required to have an authorizer such as a university, a nonprofit organization, or another school district to ensure they are fiscally sound, following relevant laws, and assuring student progress.
Funding for charters is by the same mechanism as other districts. A charter school earns general education revenue on a per-pupil unit basis just as if it were a school district. For the 2025-26 school year this means that $7,481 is transferred from the district where the child lives to the charter school. The state aid is reduced if the charter doesn’t provide busing and increased if the student qualifies for special education.
Charter school advocates stress that they provide families with educational choice, unique curricula, and innovation, while also being held to high standards of accountability. They are often seen as a way to offer diverse learning environments and approaches, such as specialized programs, smaller class sizes, and unique curricula, all within the framework of public education. The MN Association of Charter Schools maintains a directory of all the active charters.
Math and Science Academy here in Woodbury is consistently rated as one of the most successful charter schools in the state. US News and World Report just ranked it as the fifth best high school in the state. MSA is celebrating its 25th year by building a new campus on Bailey Road and repurposing their current space by adding an elementary school. With 720 students and an average class size of 20, MSA emphasizes an accelerated math curriculum and places 84% of its students in AP classes.
Woodbury Leadership Academy is housed in the former Globe University building. More than 700 uniform-wearing K-10th graders study the national Core Knowledge curriculum. Additional offerings include a character education program mixing service learning projects with a focus on five core virtues – respect, responsibility, perseverance, gratitude and humanity. WLA is adding an additional year to its high school every September.
