STEP Academy Elementary

Charter School 257 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

STEP Academy Elementary, located on 5th Street East in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a public charter school that emphasizes a rigorous academic curriculum rooted in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Serving a diverse student population, the school focuses on creating a supportive learning environment designed to prepare elementary-aged children for long-term success. By integrating hands-on learning experiences and project-based instruction, STEP Academy aims to foster critical thinking skills while promoting high standards of academic achievement in core subjects.

Beyond its academic focus, the school places a strong emphasis on community and character development. STEP Academy strives to create a culturally responsive environment that values the unique backgrounds of its students, often partnering closely with families to ensure holistic student growth. Its location in Saint Paul serves as a hub for its mission, which is centered on closing achievement gaps and providing equitable educational opportunities for all learners within the community.

257

Total Students

17.8

Full-Time Teachers

14.4

Student/Teacher Ratio

78.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for STEP Academy Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
Black	256
Two or More	1

Black
256 (99.6 %)
Two or More
1 (0.4 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	STEP Academy
Phone:	(651)289-6120
Website:	http://stepacademymn.org/
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	257
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	17.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.4
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	194
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	8

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 33

Grade 1 42

Grade 2 37

Grade 3 49

Grade 4 46

Grade 5 50