Metropolitan Open School provides a “home-like environment offering guided choices that emphasize problem-solving, creative thinking and learning by doing.” The K-8 school, which is not religious, emphasizes individual learning. It was started by a group of Hopkins parents led by chemist Ruth Carp, and was first located at Quaker Church at 44th and York in 1972. Enrollment peaked at 25-29 students and the school moved to a larger space at St. George’s Church in the Park in 1973. The school moved to Brookside Community Center in 1975, starting in the basement band room and then moving upstairs.
Brookside was leased to the Minneapolis School District, so the group moved to Central. They held class in one of the science rooms, which was connected to the former student nurse’s offices. Once again they had to move in 1996 when the space was needed for the Park Spanish Immersion program.
At this point parents were up in arms about being shoved aside twice, and went in front of the City Council to plead their case. A member of the City staff was assigned to find a place, and temporary quarters were found at the Rec Center, for about 4 months.
The next home of the school was at Perspectives Family Services (Kids Connection) located at 3381 Gorham. The building needed a great deal of work, but fortunately a couple of parents were professional contractors who oversaw the work. The school also needed to have the building rezoned. A five year lease ensured some stability, but once again the group had to find new quarters.
Just when it was needed, a house came on the market after its owner passed away. The school purchased the house, located at 3390 Library Lane, and once again had to make repairs to bring it up to code. They also had to contend with a City ordinance that required schools to be at least 50 feet from the nearest residence. Despite these obstacles, they occupied the house in December 2003.
The school, which averages about 16 students, has undergone many challenges over the years as a nontraditional school, but parents continue to move to St. Louis Park in order to enroll their children.
See the school’s web site at http://www.metroopenschool.org