Letter to the editor: Crosswinds school is ‘best kept secret’ in east metro

School choice: it’s something we value in Minnesota. We have the benefit of evaluating each school in our district and choosing the school with programs that are the best fit for our child.

Did you know that the following programs have been available as a free public school option with bus transportation for South Washington County 6th -10th graders for almost 15 years. The school is not listed on the district’s website or in its catalog. Would you be interested?

Year round calendar eliminates the need to review previously learned material after a three month hiatus, gives stability to learners who need a consistent routine, and solves families’ dilemma about what their kids will do for three months while they are at work. Shorter breaks keep learning fresh.

The International Baccalaureate Program, currently only available at Park in Cottage Grove for 11th and 12th graders, emphasizes intellectual challenge. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement.

Crosswinds Middle School, formerly funded by EMID and currently attended by about 45 district 833 students, is being considered for addition to the South Washington County school district. Superintendent Jacobus is concerned that “For whatever reason it has not been a program that is attracting a significant number of our kids” and he and the school board are not sure they need these programs.

If Crosswinds is something your family would like to investigate for your child, please visit the school website, www.emid6067.net/crosswinds/index.html, or drop by the school. Find out why its families joke that it is the best kept secret in the east metro.

Please contact the district office (651) 458-6300 or info@sowashco.k12.mn.us or Dr. Jacobus at kjacobus@sowashco.k12.mn.us to inquire about openings in this public school for next year. I think more than 45 students should be interested.

Laurel LeBlanc - St. Paul

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, updates