Alternative Education
Providing focused, alternative daytime, extended day, and summer learning opportunities to support student achievement leading to graduation.
The Department of Alternative Education (DAE) leads SPPS alternative education programs year-round. We offer 25+ different programs serving students in grades K-12, including three high schools. Our programs engage students using innovative methods such as experiential, hands-on, and project-based learning. All programs support academic and social-emotional growth. Community partnerships, leading-edge use of technology, and collaboration with other alternative education leaders nationwide ensure SPPS students experience the best school-year daytime and after-school opportunities along with summer programming. All programs are FREE. Afternoon and evening programs include snacks/meals. Transportation may be offered per SPPS transportation guidelines and the availability of bus drivers.
Contact Us
Contact the Department of Alternative Education for questions regarding Summer Learning Programs and for after-school programs including Extended Day for Learning.
Summer Learning Programs
Grades PreK - 12 Summer Learning Programs help students strengthen academic and social emotional skills, discover new talents, and recover high school credits. Examples of program themes include: Experiential & Project-Based Learning; Environmental Studies; Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM); Leadership; and, Languages & Cultural Studies. All programs are FREE. When registering, choose a Summer Learning Program that matches your student's current grade level during the 2023-24 school year.
After School Programs
After-school programs offer instructional programming for students in grades K-12, providing additional learning time to enhance academic and social-emotional skills, explore new interests and talents and foster new friendships. These programs include Elementary Extended Day for Learning (EDL), Middle School Extended Day for Learning (EDL), High School Credit Recovery & English Language Development Programs, School-based Extended Day for Learning (EDL), Evening High School (EHS) and Online Credit Recovery Network (CRN), all led by professional educators. Students can participate in these programs voluntarily and at no cost, giving them the opportunity to achieve academic proficiency, stay on grade level and remain on track to graduate.
Alternative Secondary Schools
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Alternative Secondary Schools
Saint Paul Public Schools uses a nationally recognized alternative education model to provide non-traditional educational programs to help students earn their high school diplomas. Each school year hundreds of students are enrolled in one of our three diploma-granting alternative education secondary programs.