Hiawatha Collegiate High School
Minneapolis School Finder Rating
About
About Us
Hiawatha Collegiate High School, part of the Hiawatha Academies public charter network, is a public charter school in Minneapolis serving students from kindergarten to 12th grade. They create a school experience that empowers students with knowledge, character, & leadership skills. By nurturing scholars’ character & leadership qualities, & realizing their academic potential, Hiawatha Academies develops young adults as contributing members of society.
Languages spoken by school staff
English, Spanish, Somali
Extra programming
Hiawatha Academy offers a wide variety of extracurricular clubs & groups to engage students outside the classroom & build a positive school culture. Opportunities include: Black Student Union (BSU), Boxing, Chess Club, Dance Team, Danza Azteca, Dungeons & Dragons, Gaming Club, Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Girls Who Code, LatinX Club, Lego Club, Muslim Student Association (MSA), National Honor Society, Newcomer Club, Podcast Club, Student Council, Robotics, Wolves Against the Violation of the Environment (WAVEs), & Yearbook.
Extracurriculars Offered:
Cultural Extracurriculars, Foreign Language Clubs, Journalism/Newspaper Clubs, Music, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Sports, Theater
Uniforms
Students who attend Hiawatha Collegiate High School are required to wear uniforms.
How to enroll
To enroll, contact Karina Valdez, Anahi Peña, or Mustafa Diriye at enrollment@hiawathaacademies.org.
Students at this school
Teachers at this school
Average student to teacher ratio
Academics
Average
Academic programming
Hiawatha Academies strives to create inclusive learning communities that are rigorous & joyful & build student agency. At Hiawatha:
Students have consistent access to rigorous, high-quality curriculum,
Teachers utilize engaging & demanding instructional practices,
Authentic literacy practices are embedded in all subject areas,
Students are motivated through effective school culture practices, &
Multi-tiered support systems reach all learners.
Academic Programs Offered:
Advanced Placement (AP), College Prep, Multi-Grade Classrooms, PSEO, Personalized Learning, STEM/STEAM
Special education programming
Hiawatha Academy provides special education at no cost, designed to meet each child’s unique needs. Students with academic, behavioral, or social difficulties may be referred by parents or teachers. Those suspected of having a disability receive a comprehensive evaluation, with families involved at every step. They offer inclusive support within the regular classroom through co-taught models, small group or individual instruction, & specialized classrooms for students with greater needs. They believe every child is capable of success when given the right support, & intelligence is multidimensional. Students with disabilities benefit from inclusion alongside peers whenever possible. Hiawatha’s Total Special Education System (TSES) ensures compliance with Minnesota & federal regulations. The Restrictive Procedures Plan outlines the use of positive behavior strategies, monitoring & review processes, staff training, & safeguards to minimize restrictive procedures, ensuring the safety & well-being of all students.
Curricula
Hiawatha Academies emphasizes cognitively-demanding instruction, helping students develop conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, academic language, & apply knowledge. Shared core instructional practices are used in every classroom. They prioritize academic strategy in professional development, including data-driven coaching. Each teacher has a weekly personalized coaching session with an instructional coach. Instructional coaches & school leaders attend monthly leadership training. Teachers also participate in a two-week learning academy before each school year & three Friday professional development sessions (“Content Days”) per month.
English language learner programming
Hiawatha Academies’ English Language Development program supports multilingual learners in developing English skills needed to succeed in academics & social contexts. English language teachers specifically provide language instruction at the elementary, middle school, & high school levels. Hiawatha includes specific classes & in-class support focused on helping students gain proficiency in learning the English skills needed to excel in key areas of academics like math, science, social studies, & English.
Climate
Below Average
School values
Hiawatha Academies inspires a culture that treats families as collaborators. Their commitment is to ensure that families & parents are partners with their teachers, school administrators, & school staff to support their children’s education. They commit to: offering assistance to Hiawatha families to navigate the school system & school district to advocate for their children’s educational needs; providing a free Parent Academy program designed for parents that bring schools, parents, & the community together as equal partners so that all students can achieve their greatest academic potential; & collaborating with various parent organizations, & parent advocacy groups to strengthen family engagement through their Family Association, American Indian Parent Advisory Committee, & East African Parent Committee.
Recess
No response from school.
Discipline Policy
Hiawatha Academies fosters a positive, safe, & respectful learning environment through a clear & consistent discipline policy. The school emphasizes proactive strategies, including teaching & reinforcing expectations, building strong relationships, & using restorative practices. Students are held accountable for their behavior, & consequences are fair, consistent, & designed to support growth & learning. Minor misbehaviors are addressed through teacher-led interventions, while repeated or more serious behaviors involve parent communication, reflection, & individualized support plans. The policy prioritizes helping students understand the impact of their actions, make better choices, & develop self-discipline. Hiawatha also encourages student leadership, responsibility, & participation in community-building activities to foster a positive school culture. Overall, discipline is approached as an opportunity for growth, aiming to help students succeed academically, socially, & emotionally in a structured & supportive environment.
Teacher retention
Equity
Above Average
Equity vision
Hiawatha Academies equity vision is to honor the humanity of all people & actively disrupt systemic inequity in pursuit of an equitable world. Hiawatha Academies permanently disrupts educational inequity by ensuring a great school for every child.
