Banaadir Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in grades 6 through 12 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is part of Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTCS), a K–12 charter school district authorized by Pillsbury United Communities with over 25 years of experience educating students in the Twin Cities.

Banaadir Academy was developed with direct input from educators, parents, and community leaders in Minnesota’s Somali and East African community. That partnership shapes the school’s culture, programs, and learning environment — and is one of the things that makes Banaadir Academy one of the most distinctive middle and high school options in Minneapolis. The school provides rigorous academics alongside a supportive, culturally affirming environment where students progress toward becoming responsible, competent, and prepared lifelong learners.

Banaadir Academy’s 6–12 campus is located at 1201 Bryant Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 in North Minneapolis.

Students who attended Banaadir Elementary (grades K–5, located in Northeast Minneapolis) continue directly into Banaadir Academy, creating a connected K–12 educational pathway within the same community-rooted school family.

Banaadir Academy is tuition-free and open to all Minnesota students in grades 6–12.

 A Culturally Affirming School Environment

Banaadir Academy was developed with Minnesota’s Somali and East African community at the center. The school’s culture, values, and approach to learning reflect that foundation — treating students’ backgrounds, home languages, and family traditions as assets rather than obstacles. Students don’t have to leave their identity at the door. For families who have felt unseen or underserved in other school settings, Banaadir Academy often feels meaningfully different.

A Dedicated English Language Learner Program

Banaadir Academy offers a comprehensive English Language Learner (ELL) program for students developing English proficiency alongside their academic coursework. This is especially valuable for students whose home language is Somali, Arabic, or another language, or for families new to the country. The ELL program supports students in achieving both academic and linguistic competence so they can succeed across all subject areas.

Rigorous Academics and College Readiness

Banaadir Academy holds students to high academic expectations aligned to Minnesota state standards. Through coursework, counseling, PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options), and E-Learning opportunities, students are prepared for life after graduation — whether that means college, career, or both.

Safe, Structured, and Restorative

Banaadir Academy uses restorative practices to build a safe, structured school environment. Student and staff circles are a core part of how the school addresses conflict and builds relationships — keeping students in school and learning from mistakes, rather than removing them from the community. This approach reflects the school’s belief that accountability and belonging go together.

Small School, Real Relationships

Banaadir Academy is a small school by design. Teachers and staff know their students — their strengths, their challenges, and their goals. That closeness makes early intervention possible, keeps students from falling through the cracks, and creates a genuine sense of community that larger schools rarely achieve.

A Pathway That Starts in Kindergarten

Families who begin at Banaadir Elementary (grades K–5 in Northeast Minneapolis) can continue seamlessly to Banaadir Academy for grades 6–12. The same community roots, the same values, and the same cultural foundation — from a child’s first day of kindergarten through high school graduation.

Developed With the Community — Open to Everyone

Minneapolis is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States. Banaadir Academy was developed with deep involvement from that community — and that partnership is woven into how the school operates every day. The school’s name, its Somali proverbs, its staff, and its approach to education all reflect a community that helped build something — and that invites all families to be part of it.

Wisdom does not come overnight.” — Somali Proverb

“To be without knowledge is to be without light.” — Somali Proverb

These proverbs reflect Banaadir Academy’s core belief: that education is a long game, that every step forward matters, and that every student carries potential worth investing in.

Enrollment is open to all Minnesota students in grades 6–12, regardless of background.