Friendship Academy of the Arts

Located at 2600 E 38th Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Friendship Academy of the Arts is an active independent charter district operating within the vibrant urban landscape of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Functioning as its own local educational agency for federal programs, the district maintains two operational school sites tailored to primary and middle school education, serving children from Kindergarten through 8th grade. The district fosters an intimate learning environment for its total enrollment of 211 students—comprising 108 male and 103 female learners—and predominantly serves African American families (203 students) alongside Hispanic, White, and multiracial pupils.

A defining characteristic of Friendship Academy of the Arts is its robust staffing infrastructure, which offers a compelling context for parents evaluating school environments and researchers studying urban educational models. To support its 211 students, the district employs a total staff of approximately 101 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. This includes over 14 FTE classroom teachers, 27 FTE instructional aides, and nearly 60 FTE dedicated support staff members. This exceptionally high ratio of instructional aides and specialized support personnel ensures that students receive intensive individual attention, tailored academic intervention, and holistic care throughout their foundational educational journey.