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INTERESTING FACTS about the Charter School RENEE GOOD had her child enrolled at… LET’S TALK ACTIVISM AND ENDOCTRINATION! Southside Family Charter School is a public charter school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It operates as a small, alternative education institution focused on academic excellence, social justice, and community involvement. Mission The school’s mission is to meet the needs of a culturally and ethnically diverse population by engaging children in critical thinking and problem-solving, involving them in political and social activism, encouraging creative expression, offering a wide range of electives, and advocating for children and families. History Founded in the 1970s as Model Cities Mini School as part of a community initiative to support families, it later became a Minneapolis Public Schools alternative site before transitioning to an independent charter school. The school has long incorporated activism into its curriculum, helping students understand and influence the world around them. Since 1993, it has offered Travel Study programs, including Civil Rights History Trips, which send students across the country for immersive learning experiences with activists, artists, and leaders. Grades Served The school serves grades kindergarten through 8th (KG-8). Some sources note it as primarily K-5 with expansions, but official enrollment data confirms students in grades 6-8. Academics and Programs SFCS offers an academically challenging and socially conscious education with a strong emphasis on social justice curriculum integrated at every grade level. This includes hands-on learning, community-based experiences, and teaching history from the perspectives of everyday people rather than those in power. Students develop critical thinking, confidence, and leadership skills through peer mentorship, intergenerational learning, and combined grade levels. Key features include: • Elective clubs are offered three times a week, such as Paper Mâché, Digital Drawing, Clay, Tiny House Building, Reader’s Theater, Talent Shows, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Chess, Coding, Podcasting, Structure Building, Cooking, Baking, and Social Justice/Activism Projects. • Outdoor learning and frequent field trips using public transportation to sites like the Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge and Wood Lake. • Overnight trips for older grades to locations like Pipestone, Duluth, and the Iron Range. • Civil Rights History Trips for advanced students. • Partnerships with local and national organizations, bringing in visiting authors, storytellers, dance instructors, musicians, and activists from diverse backgrounds. Contact Information • Address: 4500 Clinton Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55419 • Phone: (612) 872-8322 • Email: info@southsidefamilyschool.org • School Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Website: https://southsidefamilyschool.org/ • Director: Jamesha Hodge