Northern Lights Academy

Northern Lights Academy (NLA), located in Cloquet, Minnesota, is a specialized educational facility designed to provide comprehensive support for students with significant emotional and behavioral needs. Operated by a collaborative partnership of member school districts, the academy serves students in grades K-12 who require a more structured, therapeutic, and individualized learning environment than a traditional classroom can offer. The school focuses on integrating rigorous academic instruction with intensive mental health support, utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach to help students build the self-regulation and social skills necessary for success.

The academy’s philosophy centers on creating a safe and predictable environment where students can stabilize and thrive. By maintaining smaller class sizes and utilizing personalized education plans, the staff at Northern Lights Academy works closely with families and home districts to address the unique barriers that impede a student’s learning. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to provide students with the coping strategies and educational foundation needed to improve their well-being, decrease behavioral challenges, and, whenever possible, transition back into their home school environments.