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Chisago Lakes approves Wildcat Academy online high school for fall 2025
Summary
The Chisago Lakes School District board voted to open Wildcat Academy, a full-time online high school for grades 9–12 in fall 2025, and to post a coordinator position to run the program. The board framed the program as a way to retain students and attract families amid enrollment declines.
The Chisago Lakes School District board on Monday approved opening Wildcat Academy High School, a full-time online program for grades 9 through 12, to start in fall 2025 and also approved posting a coordinator position to manage the program.
District staff said the program is intended to retain students who have left for full-time online options and to attract families seeking an alternative to in-person schooling. "Approve opening an online high school. Next year, Wildcat Academy High School grades 9 through 12 for fall of 25," the presenter said during the board discussion.
Why it matters: district staff said the high school lost about 40 students since fall 2019 and identified 99 students currently enrolled elsewhere in full-time online programs. Staff reported combined survey responses from three surveys produced 357 responses with 83 families saying they were "definitely" interested. Staff recommended starting small: a target enrollment minimum of 20 students and a cap around 28–32 to balance grade bands.
Program details and timeline: staff outlined a near-term application and lottery schedule. The district plans to post an application page and open a lottery April 15; close applications May 2; notify selected families May 5; require enrollment confirmations by May 16; and finalize course sign-ups by May 30 so special-education requirements can be met before the fall semester.
Budget and staffing: staff presented a preliminary Year 1 budget that included a coordinator position, some fractional special-education or counseling support, platform and curriculum costs, and administrative expenses. Staff estimated roughly $175,000 in start‑up and first‑year costs, including about $15,000 for online curriculum. Staff projected that 20 full-time students would generate roughly $200,000 in revenue under state funding assumptions, producing a modest net gain; a fuller enrollment at the planned cap would increase the projected surplus.
Licensing and oversight: staff said the coordinator would report to the district director of teaching and budget and must meet Minnesota licensing requirements for online instruction. Staff cited a newer Minnesota license (described in the presentation as a CCDP-type license) that allows properly licensed teachers to oversee online courses across subject areas.
Board action and next steps: after discussion and questions about how the program would interact with existing in-person options and with a shorter-term online offering, a board member moved to open the program and the motion passed. The board then moved and passed a separate motion to post the Wildcat Academy coordinator position. Staff said they would launch a program web page immediately and begin outreach to families who had responded to the surveys and to homeschool or out-of-district online families.
The board did not record a roll-call vote for the motion in the transcript beyond the meeting chair calling for "aye"; the minutes will contain the formal roll call and recorded tally.
Supporting quote (presenter): "So now we're here today in March. And, today's the day to ask if if you would approve opening an online high school. Next year, Wildcat Academy High School grades 9 through 12 for fall of 25."
