Schoolcraft Learning Community (SLC), a public charter K-8 school serving the Bemidji area, is proud to announce and celebrate its 25th Anniversary of providing a unique, expeditionary-based learning. Since opening its doors in 2000, SLC has dedicated itself to developing self-directed, lifelong learners through rigorous, hands-on learning expeditions and a strong connection to the natural world.
Schoolcraft Learning Community was founded in April 2000 with a vision for a fresh, engaging approach to education. Starting with approximately 120 students, the school partnered with Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound to create an environment where learning extends beyond the classroom. Currently located on 26 acres of beautiful woods just north of Bemidji, SLC has leveraged the northern Minnesota outdoors as a vital part of its educational setting.
“For 25 years, Schoolcraft Learning Community has been this bright, creative space where curiosity, hands-on learning, and connection really come alive here in Bemidji,” said Alyssa Kruger, Director of Teaching and Learning. “This anniversary is a celebration of the founders who started it all, the passionate staff members who keep it growing, the families who believe in it and continue to send their students here.”
A History of Innovation and Growth
SLC's instructional model is built on learning expeditions—long-term, in-depth investigations that engage students through authentic research, projects, fieldwork, service, and adventure. This approach emphasizes individualized instruction, project orientation, and teamwork in small group settings.
Key milestones and facts about Schoolcraft Learning Community:
Founded: April 2000; opened in September 2000.
Initial Enrollment: Approximately 120 students.
Current Enrollment: Approximately 200 students in grades K-8.
Educational Philosophy: Based on the conviction that enthusiasm and rigor are compatible, with a focus on local environment, culture, and history as a bridge to global perspectives.
Campus: 26 acres utilizing the outdoors as a core part of the classroom environment.
Small Class Size: Maintained average class sizes of approximately 20 students.
Celebrating the Next 25 Years
The 25th-anniversary celebration will kick off with a schoolwide 25th anniversary t-shirt design contest and concentrated effort for increased alumni engagement. Check out www.schoolcraft.org for more information. The school community encourages former students, alumni families, staff, and local partners to join in commemorating this significant milestone and celebrating the impact SLC has had on the region's educational landscape.
Schoolcraft Learning Community remains committed to its mission to develop individuals to be self-directed, lifelong learners who have the skills and knowledge to confidently and compassionately navigate the world.
"As we look ahead, we are excited to build upon the strong foundation laid over the last 25 years," added Mark Bjornrud, Director of Operations. "We are preparing our learners to succeed in an ever-changing world, equipped with the skills and habits of scholarship necessary for a lifetime of learning."
About Schoolcraft Learning Community
Schoolcraft Learning Community (SLC) is a K-8 public charter school in Bemidji, MN, committed to developing self-directed, lifelong learners. Founded in 2000, SLC provides an alternative educational model emphasizing experiential education, project-based learning through "Learning Expeditions," and a strong connection to the local environment and community.
Our Directors Receiving 25th Anniversary Milestone Award from Minnesota Association of Charter Schools (MACS). (Alyssa Kruger, Director of Teaching and Learning; Mark Bjornrud, Director of Operations)