PERPICH CENTER FOR ARTS EDUCATION

Located along Olson Memorial Highway in Golden Valley, Minnesota, the Perpich Center for Arts Education is a fully operational, state-operated public school district serving upper-level high school students. Situated in a large suburban setting within the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area, this non-charter district operates a single specialized school focused on delivering an intensive arts curriculum exclusively to 11th and 12th graders. The center provides a unique public education pathway for Minnesota students seeking an immersive academic and creative experience during their final two years of secondary school.

According to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data for the 2024–2025 school year, the district fosters an intimate learning environment with a total student body of 154 scholars, including 64 juniors and 90 seniors. The student population is majority female (121 students) and represents a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. To support this specialized cohort, the district maintains an exceptionally strong staffing infrastructure, employing approximately 40.5 full-time equivalent teachers, an instructional aide, and more than 81 dedicated support staff members. With a total workforce exceeding 122 full-time equivalent personnel, the Perpich Center ensures a remarkably low student-to-educator ratio, offering individualized mentorship, tailored arts training, and robust institutional support for aspiring young artists.