Voyageurs Expeditionary MS

www.voyageursschool.org/

Charter School 48 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Voyageurs Expeditionary Middle School (VEMS) is a tuition-free public charter school located in Bemidji, Minnesota, serving students in grades 6 through 8. The school distinguishes itself through an "Expeditionary Learning" model, which emphasizes hands-on, project-based inquiry rather than traditional textbook-driven instruction. By integrating academic standards with real-world experiences, the school encourages students to engage deeply with their community and the surrounding natural environment, fostering a sense of curiosity and environmental stewardship.

At the core of the VEMS experience is a strong commitment to character development, community building, and personal responsibility. The school environment is designed to be intimate and supportive, utilizing small class sizes and a "crew" system to ensure that every student is well-known and challenged by their teachers. By prioritizing critical thinking, collaboration, and active citizenship, Voyageurs Expeditionary aims to prepare its students not only for high school success but also for active participation in the wider Bemidji community and beyond.

Total Students

4.9

Full-Time Teachers

9.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

77.1%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Voyageurs Expeditionary MS
Demographic	Student Count
White	15
Hispanic	2
Two or More	10
American Indian	21

American Indian
21 (43.8 %)
White
15 (31.2 %)
Two or More
10 (20.8 %)
Hispanic
2 (4.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	VOYAGEURS EXPEDITIONARY
Phone:	(218)444-3130
Website:	http://www.voyageursschool.org/
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	48
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	4.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	9.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	34
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	3

* 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 6 16

Grade 7 16

Grade 8 16