The promise of the school is that its small class size, Spanish instruction (up until third grade), and zero tolerance for infractions (homework completion, mutual respect, wearing of uniforms, etc.) will lead to the best outcome for its students, who are almost entirely Latino. To a large degree, this
... Read more is realized, but my family could not accept the reliance on punishment to reinforce these demands. Kindergarteners who did not complete their homework would be made to stay after school. My son, who stayed after school in the afterschool program, would not be allowed to play, and had to sit at a table. The principal berates children during lunch for not finishing homework during lunch, and talking too loud during lunch will cost your class a trip to the park or cancellation of the St. Patrick's Day party. Sadly, this emphasis on group and individual punishment by the principal(called 'consequences') was intolerable. Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/05/09
The school provides students with a well structured learning environment to develop knowledge, values, and attitudes. This school really cares about the students and parents to support learning processes according to the community needs.
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Posted by a other on 04/16/08
Very unorganized. Extremely rude staff. Poor quality of education. High turn over rate of instructors. I would not recommend this school to anyone.
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Posted by a other on 02/19/08
This is a wonderful growing school full of staff and teachers who really care about their kids. They are focused on academic performance. Although their staff is some of the best i've seen, it is the overall attitude of the students that is most impressive. The students are uniformly kind, sweet and
... Read more very serious about school. The lack of extracurricular activities is only a function of the size and age of the school. Next year the school opens another building to accommodate the new junior high grades. I only have experience with the younger grades and although English is only formally taught a couple times a week, by the end of first grade the students already have a good grasp of spoken English. Read less
Posted by a parent on 05/10/07
The inclusive bilingual approach practiced at aurora charter school is successful at achieving academic bilingualism in all of its students. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with a class of fifth graders, and have been continually impressed by the student s abilities to speak, read, and write
... Read more in both Spanish and English. There is no reason why this same method should not be used more widely throughout the Latino community, and any other community dominated by language minority students. It is ignorant to attack this approach in regard to its ability for cultivating English proficiency. For children who are not native English speakers, it is absolutely necessary to acquire basic linguistic skills such as reading and writing in their first language in order to develop essential cognitive abilities that will allow them to become proficient in a second language. Read less
Posted by a staff on 04/16/06
I had the chance to visit Aurora Charter school when I was in Minnesota. Aurora has a great institution with a great staff. Aurora's students learn spanish and english at the same time. I have nothing but good things to say about Aurora.
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Posted by a parent on 02/10/05
This school does not have the best interest of students as the main goal. While attempting to maintain a fluency in Spanish, the administration has limited the English instruction making it virtually impossible for all but gifted students to become academically fluent in the English Language. Students
... Read more are not allowed to be taught to read in English until Third Grade and do not have a native English speaking teacher until Fourth Grade. Children are often placed in lower grades if their Spanish language skills are not deemed at grade level. Staff turnover is extremely high due to an administration that refuses to positively support and listen to their teachers. Parents looking for bilingual education should look elsewhere as this school does not prepare students to be academically successful in the English speaking world. Read less
Posted by a parent on 10/10/04
Emphasis on academics. Pre-K through Grade 4 in new facility, will add 2 more grades 2004-2005. All classes but English taught in Spanish. Class size small. FT teacher aide for each class. Children wear uniforms. Strict behavior standards - children expected to be respectful to each other and adults,
... Read more punctual and responsible. All homework must be completed on time. Free weekend tutoring available. Very supportive environment for families. School actively networks parents with community resources. Instructors and staff are dedicated and friendly. Read less
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Minneapolis schools — Aurora Charter School is located at 2520 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis MN 55404. 2520 Minnehaha Ave is in the Longfellow neighborhood and 55404 ZIP code in Minneapolis, MN Aurora Charter School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 8.
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