GORDON PARKS HIGH SCHOOL

1212 UNIVERSITY AVE
SAINT PAUL, MN 55104

www.spps.org

152 Students

High School 7th - 12th

School Overview

Gordon Parks High School, located on University Avenue in Saint Paul, is an alternative high school within the Saint Paul Public Schools district designed to serve students who thrive in a non-traditional educational environment. The school is named in honor of the renowned photographer, filmmaker, and civil rights activist Gordon Parks, and it reflects his legacy by fostering a creative, inclusive, and socially conscious community. It is specifically tailored for students who may have struggled in conventional settings, offering a smaller, more personalized atmosphere that emphasizes strong relationships between students and staff.

The school’s academic approach focuses on credit recovery, flexible scheduling, and hands-on learning to help students progress toward graduation at their own pace. By prioritizing individualized support and a holistic approach to student well-being, Gordon Parks aims to remove barriers to academic success. Through its commitment to project-based learning and restorative practices, the school provides a supportive pathway for students to earn their diplomas while developing the personal and professional skills necessary for life after high school.

152

Total Students

10.1

Full-Time Teachers

15.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

110.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for GORDON PARKS HIGH SCHOOL
Demographic	Student Count
White	9
Hispanic	25
Black	66
Asian	35
Two or More	15
American Indian	2

Black
66 (43.4 %)
Asian
35 (23.0 %)
Hispanic
25 (16.4 %)
Two or More
15 (9.9 %)
White
9 (5.9 %)
American Indian
2 (1.3 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	Yes
District:	Saint Paul Public Schools
Phone:	(651)744-1212
Website:	http://www.spps.org
Grade Range:	7th - 12th
Total Students:	152
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	10.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	149
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	19

* 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

Grade 11 22

Grade 12 130