HGA Elementary

www.hgacademy.org

Charter School 525 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Higher Ground Academy, located on Marshall Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a public charter school that serves a diverse student body with a focus on academic excellence and holistic personal development. The school is known for its structured environment and its commitment to preparing students for success in higher education and beyond. By integrating a rigorous curriculum with character-building initiatives, Higher Ground Academy aims to foster a culture of achievement, discipline, and community responsibility among its learners.

The institution emphasizes a "back-to-basics" educational philosophy, often prioritizing strong core subjects alongside intentional mentorship. Its mission is deeply rooted in the belief that every student has the potential to succeed regardless of their background, provided they are given the right academic tools and a supportive school climate. Through its specific programming and community-oriented approach, Higher Ground Academy serves as a vital educational option for families in the Saint Paul area seeking a focused and intentional academic experience.

525

Total Students

29.7

Full-Time Teachers

17.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

94.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for HGA Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	30
Black	491
Asian	4

Black
491 (93.5%)
White
30 (5.7%)
Asian
4 (0.8%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Higher Ground Academy
Phone:	(651)645-1000
Website:	http://www.hgacademy.org
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	525
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	29.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.7
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	485
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	10

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 95

Grade 1 86

Grade 2 93

Grade 3 79

Grade 4 87

Grade 5 85