Venture Academy High
Minneapolis School Finder Rating
About
About Us
Venture Academy is a public charter school in Minneapolis serving 250 students in grades 6-12. Their vision is that every graduate overcomes barriers to become a successful & happy adult on their chosen path. The school provides a future-focused education where each student has a personalized pathway toward success after graduation. The program is built around five key graduate outcomes: Lifelong Learners, Planful & Prepared, Self-Directed, Emotionally Resilient, & Community-Centered. Diversity & equity are the backbone of their work—they believe every child deserves to be seen, valued, & engaged in a program tailored to their unique strengths & needs. At Venture, they meet students where they are & help them grow into who they want to become.
Languages spoken by school staff
English, French, German, Spanish
Extra programming
Venture Academy offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities designed to support student growth & engagement. They partner with community organizations & other charter schools to provide access to sports & additional activities, ensuring students have a variety of ways to get involved. Every student also participates in a self-selected interest club, which is built directly into the school day. These clubs allow students to explore passions, try new activities, & build connections with peers & staff around shared interests. By blending community partnerships with in-school programming, Venture Academy ensures all students have meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, & grow beyond the classroom.
Extracurriculars Offered:
Cultural Extracurriculars, Environmental/Outdoors Clubs, Journalism/Newspaper Clubs, Music, Sports, Theater, Visual Arts Clubs
Uniforms
Students who attend Venture Academy High are not required to wear uniforms.
How to enroll
To enroll, contact Clara Catalan (Enrollment Coordinator) at (612) 345-9040 or ccatalan@ventureacademies.org.
Students at this school
Teachers at this school
Average student to teacher ratio
Academics
Above Average
Academic programming
Venture Academy mixes grade-level instruction with intervention-based remediation. As they recovered from the pandemic, most students received high-dosage & small-group intervention in math & reading that was at their level, while also engaging in rigorous, culturally relevant coursework. Students are offered many different enrichment opportunities.
Academic Programs Offered:
Advanced Instruction, Advanced Placement (AP), Arts Focused Programming, Career & Technical Education (CTE), College Prep, Credit Recovery, Language Immersion, PSEO, Personalized Learning, Professional Internships and/or Job Shadowing
Special education programming
Venture Academy serves a large population of special education students with diverse needs through a comprehensive, inclusive program. They prioritize inclusion with co-taught classes where general education & special education teachers collaborate to support all learners. Adequate paraprofessional staffing ensures individualized attention & accessibility across settings. For their highest-needs learners, Venture Academy provides a center-based program that delivers intensive support in a smaller, structured environment. Their approach emphasizes real-life skills, independence, & individualized plans tailored to each student’s unique goals. By combining strong instructional practices, personalized support, & meaningful skill development, the school ensures that all students are set up for success both in school & beyond.
Curricula
No response from school.
English language learner programming
Nearly half of Venture Academy’s students are English Learners, making their EL program a central focus of the school. They provide dedicated EL staff in every classroom to ensure students have consistent support & access to all learning materials. In addition, Venture Academy’s teachers receive training & ongoing coaching to implement strategies that make content meaningful & accessible for all learners. As a community, they are committed to creating an environment where English Learners feel encouraged to participate, share their voices, & grow in confidence, no matter where they are in their language journey. By embedding EL support throughout the school day, Venture Academy ensures that students build both academic skills & English proficiency, preparing them for success in school & beyond.
Climate
School values
Venture Academy upholds the following values:
Future-Focused Learning: students are encouraged to explore & develop skills & goals;
Emphasis on Social/Emotional Learning: students learn to navigate their behavior & emotions;
Connected School Community: caring & professional teachers & faculty, & unique school culture; &
Student-Centered Learning: the school challenges & supports student academic growth at a level of rigor & learning model created for them.
Recess
No response from school.
Discipline Policy
Venture Academy uses restorative practice & restorative justice to respond to discipline issues. They aim to limit time spent out of class & work hard to implement behavior intervention strategies in the classroom. Their goal is always that students are successful in the least restrictive environment possible.
Equity
Equity vision
Venture Academy aims to be equitable with staff, families, & students. They implement instructional strategies & policies aimed at creating an inclusive environment for all. This is evidenced by around 50% of their staff being people of color & by the consistent diversity of their student body.
