Minnesota Transitions Charter School opens new school site at
Mall of America® this Fall
Following the destruction of the MTCS district offices and MTS Secondary school this spring, the new MOA location brings opportunity to rethink education
BLOOMINGTON, MN— August 25, 2020
The Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTCS) will open a school site at Mall of America this fall for their students and staff. This spring, the MTCS district offices and MTS Secondary school site was completely destroyed during the civil unrest that took place throughout the community, leaving 150 students without a place to call their school for the upcoming year while their school is being rebuilt in its original location.
In an effort to help MTCS continue granting their students the power of education, Mall of America will be the new school site moving forward for students and staff in a 17,000 square foot space within the shopping and entertainment center while rebuilding efforts at their original site take place. The space will be uniquely built to create a dynamic learning environment comprised of classrooms and common area space that will accommodate approximately 150 students, grades 7 – 12.
“The destruction of our offices and school site was tragic, however, it has given us an opportunity to continue rethinking education. It has given us a chance to come back stronger and more innovative than ever,” said Brian Erlandson, Superintendent for MTCS. “This new Mall of America school site allows us to do things differently by offering a variety of learning options for students who have not thrived in a traditional school model. Mall of America represents the center for our community, and we are beyond thrilled to enter into this unique partnership that we believe will create endless possibilities for our students.”
The 17,000 square foot space will be located on level 3, North in Mall of America. The unique learning environment will be designed featuring open spaces for collaboration and stretching, student art, natural plant elements and more. Furnishings for the space are being donated by IKEA and TCF Bank is funding technology needs for the space.
“The MTCS mission and their collective efforts to offer students a new way to thrive is incredibly inspiring. The way they have reimagined education aligns with our approach to retail and entertainment,” said Jill Renslow, EVP of Business Development and Marketing for Mall of America. “We are proud to be the new school site for MTCS students and staff and look forward to learning from one another in the years to come.”
In addition to the unique space design, MTCS will continue growing their unique approach to education, offering a truly innovative, flexible style of learning where school happens on the students’ time. The goal of this new education site is to break down barriers of time and space in an effort to achieve greater academic success for all students with different types of learning styles and abilities. Students will also have greater access to learn from the various business aspects of Mall of America through internship opportunities.
While the school will be practicing distant learning until at least October 14 due to COVID-19, the space will open on September 8 for staff as well as support for students who need more one-on-one education. Following this initial first year, the hope is to continue operating MTCS at Mall of America and continue growing the partnership and opportunities for MTCS students.
PRESS CONTACT
Minnesota Transitions Charter School: Jenny Buck (jbuck@emailmtcs.org)
Mall of America: Sarah Grap (sarah.grap@moa.net)
ABOUT Minnesota Transitions Charter School
Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTCS) pioneers innovative education. With 25 years of running schools, and eight different programs MTCS has flexible and creative options to meet student needs, wherever and however students are learning. MTCS has many learning options, and the resources and supports that students need to be successful in school and life. We help scholars find or we create programs that are just right. Our mission is to be a student-centered learning community that inspires and supports all learners to achieve excellence through equitable, relevant learning experiences.
ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with more than 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to the MSP International Airport.
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