Benton Stearns Education District 1

The Benton Stearns Education District (BSED) is a collaborative educational cooperative located in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, that serves a consortium of 11 independent school districts across Benton, Stearns, and Sherburne counties. Rather than functioning as a traditional K-12 school, BSED acts as a regional support system, pooling resources to provide specialized services that individual districts might struggle to offer on their own. Their primary goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their home district, have access to high-quality educational opportunities and necessary support systems to succeed.

The district focuses heavily on meeting the needs of diverse learners, including those who require special education services, alternative programming, or career and technical education (CTE). BSED facilitates programs such as Area Learning Centers (ALCs), specialized behavioral support, and professional development for staff across its member districts. By operating as a shared service agency, BSED allows member schools to expand their curriculum and intervention capabilities, ultimately fostering a more equitable and comprehensive educational environment for the broader Central Minnesota community.