05/05/2026
Regarding Duluth Public Schools ALC - from parentsquare
20% of all students enrolled in the Duluth Public Schools ALC - Independent Study are American Indian, per MDE Report Card 2026 data.
Dear families,
I am writing to transparently inform you about a situation involving the Duluth Area Learning Center (ALC).
On Aug. 25, 2025, Duluth Public Schools was notified by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) that it would be doing a review of the Duluth Area Learning Center (ALC) to make sure the programs complied with all applicable state statutes to ensure the programs maintain approved status.
After an eight month review MDE found that the program was out of compliance on multiple fronts. Because of these findings, MDE is imposing several immediate sanctions effective June 30, 2026:
The ALC will be reclassified to an Alternative Learning Program (ALP).
All Targeted Services programs, including K-8 summer school, will be suspended. We are currently seeking an alternative solution for our students.
The district’s approval to offer Independent Study (IS) will also be suspended.
What this means for students
All credit recovery efforts must be completed by June 30, 2026. If we are functioning in 2026-27 as an Area Learning Program:
Students from outside of our district will not be able to enroll
There will not be an Independent Study program.
Potentially high school students would dual enroll at their home high school and the ALP
There will not be any afterschool Excel offerings for K-8
School counselors will work with students to determine the best path forward to graduation for our high school students.
Accountability and Progress
The district will focus on regaining status for the start of the 26-27 School Year by completing the following:
Submit an application to continue the 4-day week, which has already been done.
Submit an action plan for fixing compliance issues, due May 20, 2026.
Submit an application to regain status as an Alternative Learning Center (ALC).
This must be submitted 60 days prior to the desired start date.
Once ALC status is approved, the applications for Independent Study (ALC IS) and Targeted Services for K-8 can be approved by MDE.
Our district is now focused on restructuring our internal systems in partnership with MDE to align the program with state law. The full report from MDE is attached for your viewing. A presentation will occur during the School Board Committee of the Whole meeting tonight at 4:30 p.m. at the District Service Center. You can also live stream the meeting on YouTube.
We know this may cause some disruption and confusion around student enrollment, but we will work diligently with families and students to ensure everyone feels supported. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to your school office.
