SKILLS FOR TOMORROW CHARTER SCHOOL
Visit the Skills for Tomorrow website
www.skillsfortomorrow.org
"Closing the gap between education and the workplace" is the goal of Skills for Tomorrow High School — a precedent-setting cooperative venture including educators, labor and business.
Skills for Tomorrow High School, located in St. Paul, provides apprenticeships and other work-based learning experiences for students in grades 9 through 12. Its mission is to close the gap between education and the workplace. By integrating academic skills with high technology, vocational training, and real-life situations, Skills for Tomorrow High School students can achieve high academic standards along with practical workplace skills.
Skills for Tomorrow High School was developed as a public high school under Minnesota's charter school law. Funding comes from state aid and grants from the McKnight Foundation and the Job Training Partnership Act. The school is a cooperative venture of the Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau; the Minnesota Business Partnership, which includes the chief executive officers of 100 of the state's largest corporations; the University of Minnesota Department of Education; and the Rockford Area School District.
At Skills for Tomorrow High School, each student has an individual learning plan geared toward his or her specific needs and interests. In addition to academic subjects, classwork includes leadership training, team building, use of technology, and coursework in a technical or community college or university setting for exploration or job training.
FOR THE STUDENT
Skills is for mature and responsible students who want something different. Tired of old-school methods that don't work for you? Ready to push yourself?
Skills is for you if you want an education that includes:Individual attention and learning plans
- Hands-on, project-based learning
- Leadership and teamwork training
- Technology
- College or technical
- Internships and apprenticeships
What's So Different About Skills for Tomorrow?
Just like the workplace, you choose to succeed and you get the rewards of your work.
We are a "School-to-Work" program — we make high school a place where students learn the skills to get into the workplace. We were created by a partnership of the Minnesota Teamsters, the Minnesota Business Partnership, Goodwill Easter Seals, the St. Paul and Rockford school districts, and the University of Minnesota.
Senior high students in Phase I take academic course work, emphasizing strong basic skills. We stress teamwork, workplace skills, and communication. In Phase II, students work off site on a Community Service Learning Project. By Phase III, students follow their career dreams by completing internships in a field they choose. They learn by doing.
In Phase IV, students take courses at college and/or vocational training school. They also work on developing a personal portfolio.
Should You Consider Skills?
Yes — because:
- You like a small, safe school
- You learn best by doing
- You're motivated but not by old-fashioned schools
- You want to build a great resume
No — because:
- You like traditional school classes, sports teams, clubs, and activities
- You have trouble with attendance
- You're involved with drugs, alcohol, violence, and/or other destructive behaviors
Getting into Skills
To determine if we meet each other's needs, schedule a one-on-one interview with the staff.
Call the office for starting dates, information packets, and/or to schedule an interview at (651) 647-6000.
Special education services are available to eligible students. Discuss your child's needs or your concerns about learning, behavior, or health with the special services administrator.
Skills
for Tomorrow School
A School-to-Work Senior High Charter Public School
547 Wheeler Street North
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651) 647-6000
Fax: (651) 645-2388