We are all responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and education of the children within our community. That’s why, when a Lake Street school was looted and destroyed in the civil unrest that took place in the summer of 2020—a summer already rife with unknowns—we knew we had to do something to help. Mall of America® reached out to the superintendent of Minnesota Transitions Charter School to offer a positive, safe, and inspiring venue for students while the school rebuilt.
Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTCS) is a K-12 academic community and the largest group of charter schools in the state of Minnesota. The tuition-free public school has eight options—both brick and mortar sites and virtual—that serve students throughout the Twin Cities metro area. For one year, one of these options was located inside Mall of America.
Within weeks of the initial discussion, a dedicated area within the Mall was secured for the 2020–21 academic year. This area was easily accessible to students via the Light Rail, accounting for the change in location from a building right in students’ neighborhood. Front-line Mall of America employees worked tirelessly to clean and organize the space. Corporate partners including Huntington Bank and Ikea provided technology and furniture. The school was able to focus on its students without worrying about basic security, let alone rent or electricity.
The MTCS location within the Mall was never intended to be a permanent solution—the community needs its school—but students and staff were welcomed to make use of this safe, inspiring learning center for as long as it was needed.