NORTHWEST PASSAGE HIGH SCHOOL

Northwest Passage High School is a tuition-free public charter high school in Coon Rapids, Minnesota that uses inquiry-driven, project-based learning, long-term advisories, interdisciplinary seminars and field expeditions to prepare students for post-secondary life. The school emphasizes small learning communities (class sizes capped at 16) and experiential learning, including multi-night expeditions and place-based projects. Established in 1999 and authorized by the University of St. Thomas, NWPHS serves grades 9–12 and operates as a nonprofit public charter district. Recent public information shows an enrollment of about 156 students (2024–25), a student/teacher ratio near 10.7:1, and programs that prioritize college and career readiness (approximately 60% of graduates pursue post-secondary programs each year). In the last few years the school has expanded blended/online offerings (Northwest Passage BEYOND), continued its expedition and advisory programming, and received multiple innovation and recognition awards for its alternative/project-based model.