THE WILLOWS

THE WILLOWS is a public high school that is part of the Northeast Metro 916 school district, located in BLAINE, MN with about 21 students offering grade levels from 7th Grade to 12th Grade. With about 3 teachers, THE WILLOWS has a student/teacher ratio of about 7:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

THE WILLOWS, located in Blaine, Minnesota, is a specialized educational program operated by the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District. It is designed to serve students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs who require a more structured, therapeutic environment than what is typically available in a traditional school setting. The program focuses on integrating intensive academic instruction with comprehensive mental health support, aiming to help students develop the coping skills and self-regulation necessary to succeed in a classroom environment.

The school emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with families, home school districts, and community partners to create individualized education programs (IEPs). By maintaining smaller class sizes and providing access to specialists—including social workers, psychologists, and behavioral experts—THE WILLOWS strives to foster a safe and supportive culture. The ultimate goal of the program is to address the specific barriers preventing a student’s success, with the intention of helping them build the emotional resilience needed to eventually transition back into their home school or move toward graduation.

For more information, contact THE WILLOWS at (651) 415-5543 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.