Olson Middle School
Minneapolis School Finder Rating
About
About Us
The road to college success starts at Olson Community School, located in North Minneapolis’ Shingle Creek neighborhood. At Olson, students join a learning environment designed to instill them with intellectual, social & personal habits necessary for success in high school & college. Beginning in Fall 2021, Olson offers middle school Hmong Dual language programming. Olson, an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, connects middle school students with their brilliance, helping them understand themselves as contributors to a thriving community. With an emphasis on student voice & choice, an Olson education encourages students to explore where they are from, who they are now, & who they are becoming.
Languages spoken by school staff
English
Extra programming
Olson Middle School offers a variety of after-school activities designed to engage students & build community. Their programs are centered on their values of being Ready to Learn, Responsible, & Respectful.
Starting in October, they are proud to partner with Beacons to provide a comprehensive after-school program. Students can participate in a range of sports, including flag football for girls, boys & girls basketball, & track & field. They also offer soccer to help students develop skills & teamwork.
Olson Middle School also has Friday interest clubs, which provide an opportunity for students to explore new hobbies & passions. Our Drama Club is one of the many exciting offerings.
These activities provide a fun & safe environment for students to be active, learn new skills, & make new friends. They are a great way for students to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to teamwork & sportsmanship.
Extracurriculars Offered:
STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports
Uniforms
Students who attend Olson Middle School are not required to wear uniforms.
How to enroll
If interested in enrolling, contact Student Placement Services at (612) 668-1840 or sps.department@mpls.k12.mn.us.
Average student to teacher ratio
Academics
Low Performing
Academic programming
Olson Middle School’s academic program is designed to create a dynamic & inclusive learning environment where all students are empowered to succeed. Their framework uses evidence-based practices, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Approaches to Learning & the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model, to foster curiosity & conceptual understanding.
The school’s core commitment is to help every student ‘Be Ready to Learn.’ This means providing daily, high-quality grade-level instruction that is rigorous & engaging for all. To ensure the school meets every student’s needs, they dedicate time to “Whatever I Need” (WIN) Time. This structured period allows staff to provide targeted support or enrichment, helping students to ‘Be Responsible’ for their own learning, & to ‘Be Respectful’ of their academic journey & the journey of others. This comprehensive approach ensures that Olson Middle School meets students where they are, empowering them to become skilled, confident, & autonomous learners.
Academic Programs Offered:
College Prep, International Baccalaureate (IB), Language Immersion
Special education programming
Olson Middle School is committed to ensuring every student, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), has the support needed to succeed.
Students with IEPs receive specialized instruction & accommodations, as outlined in their individualized plans. This ensures they are ready to learn with access to the necessary resources, such as modified curriculum, assistive technology, or small-group instruction, that remove barriers to their academic success.
These students are taught to be responsible by actively participating in their learning & advocating for their needs. Through a process of self-advocacy & goal-setting, students are empowered to take ownership of their educational journey.
Furthermore, Olson Middle School ensures a respectful & inclusive environment, where the unique needs of every learner are honored. Special education services are integrated within the school’s framework, including during Whatever I Need (WIN) Time, ensuring all students receive the targeted support they need, while being valued members of the school community.
Curricula
No response from school.
English language learner programming
Olson Middle School is committed to ensuring every student, including English Language Learners (ELLs), has the support needed to succeed. This commitment is central to their values.
The school has three certified English language teachers who provide specialized support to students based on their World-Class Instructional Design & Assessment (WIDA) standards. This support is delivered through a combination of pull-out classes & co-taught classes, using the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model to make content accessible.
Olson Middle School is also the middle school site for the district’s Hmong Dual Language Pathway. This program fosters biliteracy & biculturalism, empowering students to continue their academic journey in both English & Hmong.
By offering these programs, the school ensures a respectful & inclusive environment where all students are valued, & their unique linguistic & cultural backgrounds are celebrated as they become confident, bilingual learners.
Proficiency
1 out of 10 students are performing math at grade level
1 out of 10 students read at grade level
Progress
2 out of 10 students are progressing to graduate on grade-level in math
2 out of 10 students are progressing to graduate on grade-level in reading
Climate
Below Average
School values
Olson Middle School’s values are:
Being Ready to Learn: They empower every student to achieve their goals by creating a challenging, culturally relevant, & engaging learning environment. They celebrate growth & inspire a lifelong love of learning, preparing students to think critically & solve problems.
Responsible: They teach students to be caring, contributing members of their communities. They encourage students to be accountable for their actions & to use their talents to create a positive & thriving world for everyone.
Respectful: They are a vibrant & inclusive community where everyone belongs. They honor diverse backgrounds & celebrate each student’s unique strengths, creating a supportive environment where all students feel valued, safe, & respected.
Recess
No response from school.
Discipline Policy
Olson Middle School’s behavior policy uses a four-level system to promote a positive & safe learning environment. Their emphasis is on reducing suspensions & using restorative practices to help students learn from mistakes & stay in the classroom. This system is designed to support students in being ready to learn, responsible, & respectful.
Level 1 addresses minor disruptions, such as talking out of turn. These are managed in the classroom through redirection & reteaching, preventing them from escalating.
Level 2 covers repeated misbehaviors. Rather than an out-of-school suspension, a student may be sent to an in-school “buddy room” for a cool-down & reflection, followed by a restorative conversation to repair harm & restore relationships.
Level 3 behaviors, which are more targeted or severe, are referred to administration. The preferred response is an in-school removal, with out-of-school suspensions being a limited, last-resort option.
Level 4 is reserved for extreme safety concerns that may require out-of-school suspension to ensure the safety of all.
By focusing on these restorative strategies, Olson Middle School aims to keep students engaged in their education & to help them grow into responsible community members.
Equity
Below Average
Equity vision
At Olson Middle School, they are committed to providing an equitable environment where every student can thrive. They believe this means actively working to remove systemic barriers, so all students can meet their highest potential. The school’s commitment to equity is reflected in their core principles:
Being Ready to Learn: They empower every student to achieve their goals by creating a challenging, culturally relevant, & engaging learning environment. They celebrate growth & inspire a lifelong love of learning, preparing students to think critically & solve problems.
Responsible: They teach students to be caring, contributing members of their communities. They encourage students to be accountable for their actions & to use their talents to create a positive & thriving world for everyone.
Respectful: They are a vibrant & inclusive community where everyone belongs. They honor diverse backgrounds & celebrate each student’s unique strengths, creating a supportive environment where all students feel valued, safe, & respected.
By upholding these principles, Olson Middle School ensures every student is prepared to think critically & to act with empathy.
