Adorned with multicolored words Education, Explore, Write, Success and Prepare on its outside east wall, Banaadir South, at 2526 27th Avenue South in Minneapolis, is the newest addition to the MTS charter school district. The building previously housed MTS Middle School, and now has classrooms for K-1, 2-3 and 4-5 grades.

It all begins with three teachers, an English Language Learning instructor, administrative staff member and a community liaison. Banaadir Academy veteran Rani Hayden is the new school director. As the school grows, class sizes will be capped at 18 students.

“It is an exciting opportunity to lead a school and program forward into the next chapter of MTS,” said Hayden. She worked for nine years as a teacher and administrator at Banaadir Academy, an MTS school in north Minneapolis. Monday Open Houses this summer are attracting parents, who can register their children in person, by phone or online. An open house is scheduled for August 25 at 4:30 p.m.