The Rise Of Education Entrepreneurs In Minnesota

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Innovative Education Models

Chesterton Academy: A Classical and Affordable Education Option

When Dale Ahlquist created Chesterton Academy in Hopkins, Minnesota in 2008, his goal was to provide an ideal learning environment for his children and their friends. He wanted to offer a school that embraced a classical educational philosophy, focused on the traditional liberal arts, and had a Catholic religious worldview. Today, Chesterton Academy is part of the Chesterton Schools Network, which includes more than 70 independently operated high schools educating over 2,000 students. This network contributes to the achievement of SDG 4: Quality Education.

Wildflower Montessori Microschools: Joyful and Accessible Education

Veronica Vital, inspired by her own experiences as a student in Mexico, founded Cosmos Montessori in 2018, a bilingual, tuition-free preschool and elementary charter school in South Minneapolis. Cosmos is part of the Wildflower Montessori microschool network, which supports smaller, community-embedded Montessori schools. The network now has over 60 microschools across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education.

Skola Microschool: A Flexible and Personalized Approach

Kristin Fink, a former classroom teacher, launched Skola Microschool in 2022 in Roseville. Skola is a faith-based K-8 microschool that offers individualized instruction to recognized homeschoolers. Fink aims to provide a student-centered approach to education, contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education.

Homeschooling Collaboratives: Supporting Customized Education

Amy Marotz founded Awakening Spirit Homeschooling Collaborative in Stillwater to serve the needs of gifted and neurodiverse learners. The program provides a holistic and nurturing environment for homeschoolers. Rebecca Hope, a veteran homeschooling parent, launched Mid-Metro Academy in Roseville, offering a la carte classes to middle school and high school homeschooled students. These homeschooling collaboratives contribute to SDG 4: Quality Education.

Diverse and Personalized Education Options

The Twin Cities area is witnessing the emergence of various innovative education models, including faith-based programs, Montessori schools, classical schools, and homeschooling options. These entrepreneurial parents and teachers are creating a medley of more personalized and low-cost learning options for families, contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
   • Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.

   The article discusses the establishment of Chesterton Academy and other low-cost, innovative education options in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. These schools aim to provide more joyful and affordable education options for families, aligning with SDG 4’s goal of ensuring quality education for all. The specific target of ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education is relevant to the issues highlighted in the article.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.

   The article mentions the growth of low-cost, innovative education options in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, including the founding of Chesterton Academy and other independently operated high schools. These initiatives demonstrate entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in the education sector, aligning with SDG 8’s focus on promoting decent work and economic growth. The specific target of promoting development-oriented policies that support entrepreneurship is relevant to the issues discussed in the article.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

   The article highlights the emergence of low-cost, innovative education options in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area that aim to provide more accessible and affordable education for families. These initiatives contribute to reducing inequalities in education by promoting the social and economic inclusion of all, irrespective of their economic status. The specific target of empowering and promoting the social and economic inclusion of all is relevant to the issues discussed in the article.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: forbes.com

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