South Saint Paul Public Schools

What South Saint Paul Public Schools does

South St. Paul Public Schools (Independent School District No. 6) is a Minnesota public school district founded in 1853 and headquartered at 104 5th Avenue South, South St. Paul, Minnesota. The district serves approximately 3,000 students from birth through adult education across six school units: Kaposia Education Center (K-5, 640 students), Lincoln Center Elementary (K-5, 684 students), SSP Middle School (grades 6-8, 536 students), SSP High School (grades 9-12, 830 students), the Community Learning Center alternative program (grades 10-12, 116 students), and an Early Learning unit (125 students). Demographics include 61.4% eligibility for free/reduced meals, 20.8% special education participation, and 9.4% English Language Learners.

The district operates a technology stack built on commercial, not proprietary, platforms: Infinite Campus for student information and parent portal access, Schoology for learning management, ParentSquare and StudentSquare for family/student communications, SchoolCafe for nutrition services, PeachJar for digital flyers, GoFan for athletic ticketing, and Finalsite for the public website. Academic programs include the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (grades 9-12, offered since 1986 and formerly district-wide K-12 from 2008-2023), Packer Pathways career exploration, AmazeWorks equity/inclusion programming, BARR student support, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and Talent Development and Advanced Academics. The HELPme platform provides 24/7 mental health support, and Safe Routes to School addresses active transportation safety.

Funding flows primarily from Minnesota state education aid, local property taxes, and federal grants under standard public school district statutes, with a small ancillary layer of fee-based revenue from Kids' Choice before/after school care ($28-$56/day), Early Childhood Family Education, Adult Education, and athletics ticketing. The South St. Paul Educational Foundation, established in 1984, supplements district resources through private fundraising, awarding $614,900 in scholarships to 133 recipients in 2026. Governance is provided by an elected Board of Education currently chaired by Kim Humann, with Brian Zambreno serving as Superintendent.

Name

South Saint Paul Public Schools

Legal name

South St. Paul Public Schools

Website

https://sspps.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1853

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

South St. Paul Public Schools is a Minnesota public school district (ISD No. 6) serving approximately 3,000 students from birth through adult education across two elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, an alternative learning center, and early learning programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE), Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• Early childhood programs
• After school care
• IB diploma program
• Adult education services

Headquarters

HQ city

South Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: Public school district funded primarily through local property taxes, state education funding from Minnesota Department of Education, and federal education grants. Operates under Minnesota school district statutes with elected school board governance.
2. Fee-Based Programs: The district offers some fee-based programs including Summer Kids' Choice before/after school care with daily rates ranging from $28-$50/day for various care options. ECFE/Preschool programs may have associated fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

South Saint Paul Public Schools is a public K-12 school district serving approximately 3,000 students from birth through grade 12 across two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and a Community Learning Center alternative program. The district provides free core academic education to district residents funded by state aid, local property taxes, and federal grants, supplemented by fee-based programs such as Kids' Choice before/after school care and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).

Product overview

South St. Paul Public Schools operates as a public school district serving approximately 3,000 students from preschool through adult education. The district encompasses two elementary schools (Kaposia Education Center and Lincoln Center Elementary), one middle school (grades 6-8), one high school (grades 9-12), and a Community Learning Center alternative program (grades 10-12). The district's technology portfolio includes student information systems (Infinite Campus), communication platforms (ParentSquare, StudentSquare), learning management (Schoology), food service management (SchoolCafe), digital communications (PeachJar), and event ticketing (GoFan). Academic offerings include Packer Pathways career exploration programs, an IB Diploma Program for grades 9-12, AmazeWorks social-emotional learning, BARR student support, Talent Development and Advanced Academics, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. The district also provides family support services including HELPme mental health app, Kids' Choice before/after school care, ECFE early childhood programs, Adult Education, and Safe Routes to School transportation safety initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Packer Pathways: Academic program initiative for grades K-12 that prepares students for their next step in life through high quality, individualized programs, services, and personalized learning.
• AmazeWorks
• Packer Promise

Products and services

• Packer Pathways High school pathway program enabling students to explore career fields through specialized tracks including real-world simulations, guest speakers, and field trips aligned with core academics. Targeted at K-12 students preparing for post-secondary pathways.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program IB Diploma Program for grades 9-12 offering college preparatory curriculum recognized internationally for higher education admissions. Available to South St. Paul high school students.
• AmazeWorks Equity and inclusion education program using literature, videos, and skill-building activities to promote diversity awareness and belonging across the school community. Targeted at students, educators, and families.
• BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) Student support program focused on building assets and reducing risky behaviors through relationship-based monitoring and intervention. Targeted at students needing additional social-emotional support.
• Talent Development and Advanced Academics K-5 program providing equitable access to talent development with depth, complexity, and acceleration for students needing advanced instruction across three service levels. Targeted at gifted and high-achieving elementary students.
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Tiered academic and behavioral support system providing targeted interventions and enrichment across all student achievement levels. Targeted at students needing differentiated academic or behavioral support.
• Career and College Readiness Program providing students with college and career counseling, academic planning, partnerships with local businesses and colleges, and post-secondary preparation resources. Targeted at high school students preparing for post-secondary education.
• Kids' Choice (Before/After School Care) Fee-based before and after school care program providing supervised childcare services for elementary students. Daily rates: Full Day Full-Time $46/day, Full Day Part-Time $50/day, Half Day $28/day, Drop-In $32-$56/day, plus $50/season registration fee.
• Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Early childhood family education program for families with children from birth to kindergarten, offering classes and support services at Kaposia Education Center. Targeted at families with young children.
• Adult Education Adult education program providing literacy improvement, GED preparation, and educational opportunities for adults 16 and older, operated in partnership with South Suburban Adult Education. Targeted at adult community members.
• Safe Routes to School Program promoting safe walking and biking to school through education, infrastructure improvements, and community partnerships including walking school buses and safe crossing initiatives. Targeted at students and families commuting to school.

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and moderate.

• International Baccalaureate Organization (IB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSPPS has offered the IB Diploma Program since 1986 and was the first school district in Minnesota to become an IB World School District in 2008, serving all students K-12 for nearly 15 years. In 2023, the district transitioned to IB Diploma Program only for grades 9-12 as part of the Pathway to Packer Promise initiative.
• South St. Paul Educational FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1984 through an Otto Bremer Foundation grant. The foundation provides innovative public school funding to support educational initiatives, scholarships, training, and enrichment. Has raised millions to help students achieve success. Awarded $614,900 in scholarships to 133 recipients in 2026.
• TriDistrict Community EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides high quality, respectful, equitable learning experiences for every person in the community including early learning programs, school-age care, youth enrichment, adult enrichment, and senior programs. Partnership includes shared ECFE and preschool programming.
• 360 CommunitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily support workers partner with educators and families to implement effective home-based strategies that increase parental involvement, improve academic performance, and connect families to community resources. Workers placed in schools to support student and family success.
• City of South St. PaulmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint core values initiative establishing shared values of Respect, Pride, Collaboration, Integrity, Resilience, and Equity. City supports Safe Routes to School program, shares facilities, and collaborates on community initiatives. Over 12 youth athletic associations facilitated through city partnership.
• Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided major grant to bring Innocent Classroom training to SSPPS staff. Training aims to transform classrooms by deepening relationships with students, particularly students of color; increase equity throughout the district; and undermine impact of societal negative stereotypes and bias.
• Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency providing funding, oversight, and regulatory framework for Minnesota public schools. SSPPS operates under MDE guidelines and participates in state testing, reporting, and achievement programs.
• Perpich Center for Arts EducationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSPPS was one of eight Minnesota school districts chosen as recipients of the 2019-2021 Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP) provided by Perpich Center for Arts Education to enhance arts programming.
• Intermediate School District 917moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides services and support to nine south metro area school districts in areas including Special Education, Career and Technical Education, and Alternative Learning programming. SSPPS partners for specialized services beyond district capacity.
• Equity Alliance MNmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSPPS is one of six member districts that meets monthly to learn, share ideas, and discuss issues of moving toward equitable education systems. Collaborative network for equity-focused professional development and strategy.
• Equal Opportunity SchoolsmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to ensure low-income students and students of color enroll and succeed in rigorous coursework, leading to more students graduating and attending college or trade school with choices about their next step.
• Second Harvest HeartlandmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partnership to address food insecurity among students and families. Supports free summer meals program and other nutrition assistance initiatives.
• Dakota CountymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public health services including WIC program, Safe Routes to School program, and other county services supporting district students and families.
• Minnesota Department of TransportationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded $98,600 Safe Routes to School grant in Spring 2019 to hire part-time district coordinator for three years to implement SRTS plan focusing on education, engagement, enforcement, and engineering for safe walking/biking to school.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Minneapolis Public Schools: Minnesota's largest urban public school district, providing a full K-12 portfolio including IB, alternative, and adult education programs. A regional incumbent that competes for open-enrollment and program differentiation.
• St. Paul Public Schools: Larger urban Minnesota public school district operating K-12 schools, IB programs, and extensive community education. Relevant as a regional incumbent and potential open-enrollment competitor with overlapping program offerings.

Others

• Intermediate School District 917: Cooperative Minnesota intermediate district that provides Special Education, CTE, and Alternative Learning services to nine south-metro districts including SSPPS. Functions as a service partner rather than a competitor, but its program offerings overlap with SSPPS's CLC and Special Education.

Regional players

• TriDistrict Community Education: Community education partnership serving south-metro districts (including SSPPS) with ECFE, preschool, school-age care, and adult enrichment. Comparable in early childhood and community education programming, operating as a regional delivery vehicle.
• South Suburban Adult Education: Regional adult education consortium providing GED prep, literacy, and adult basic education across south-metro Minnesota. Directly comparable to SSPPS's Adult Education program through which SSPPS partners with this provider.

Direct peers

• Inver Grove Heights Community Schools: Adjacent Minnesota public school district (ISD 199) in Dakota County serving a comparable suburban, socioeconomically diverse student population. Operates K-12 schools and similar community education programming, making it a direct geographic and demographic peer.
• North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District (ISD 622): Adjacent suburban Minnesota public school district offering full K-12 programming, community education, and alternative learning options. Comparable in organizational structure and program portfolio to SSPPS.
• Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools (District 196): Larger Dakota County public school district (District 196) operating comprehensive K-12 programming, IB offerings, and alternative learning centers. Comparable in curriculum architecture and IB positioning, though at meaningfully larger scale.
• Hastings Public Schools (ISD 200): Dakota County public school district (ISD 200) serving a similar mix of suburban and river-town students across K-12 grades. Operates comparable community education and alternative learning programming.
• West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Learning Center (ISD 197): Neighboring Dakota County public school district (ISD 197) operating K-12 schools, alternative learning centers, and community education programs. Directly comparable in scale, suburban setting, and program mix to SSPPS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SSPPS6
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCArVRGnSSda37wEVmbg9QpQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SSPPS6
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-st-paul-public-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/sspps6

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Saint Paul Public Schools