Intermediate District 287

What Intermediate District 287 does

Intermediate District 287 is a Minnesota public school district and special education cooperative that has served 12 member school districts in the West Metro Twin Cities area for more than 50 years. The district operates as a fee-for-service consortium, generating its $93 million operating budget through tuition billing from its member districts: Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Orono, Osseo, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, Wayzata, and Westonka. It delivers specialized educational services that individual member districts cannot economically provide on their own, including special education across all 13 disability categories, Alternative Learning Centers, Career & Technical Education, transition programs for ages 18-22, online learning via Northern Star Online, and Care & Treatment programs in hospital, day treatment, residential, and adjudicated settings.

The district's service platform consists of five site-based schools (Ann Bremer Education Center, North Education Center, South Education Center, West Education Center, and Career & Tech Center), itinerant staff serving 100+ member-district school sites for low-incidence disabilities, and digital delivery through Northern Star Online. Technology infrastructure is operational rather than differentiating: Synergy Student Information System, ParentVue/StudentVue engagement portal, Finalsite-powered web infrastructure, SolarEdge monitoring across ~1,399 kW of distributed solar generation, and the "Modern Classroom" instructional model that paces student progression on mastery rather than time. The Career & Tech Center is co-located at Hennepin Technical College's Eden Prairie campus, enabling dual-enrollment credit. Care & Treatment services are delivered through partnerships with Allina Health, PrairieCare, Fairview, Youable, and Hennepin County across eight locations.

Commercially, Intermediate District 287 is a government educational entity governed by a School Board with one representative from each member district, with Marcy Doud serving as Superintendent (since October 2022) and overseeing the recently launched 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Revenue is essentially tuition from member districts plus ancillary grants, with no pricing variability and no exposure to competitive procurement within its defined service territory. The entity does not have equity ownership, venture backing, or external shareholders. End customers are students with complex needs (Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, mental health conditions, trauma) and member districts seeking specialized capacity; the district has ~1,197 staff constituents across a headcount band of 501-1,000.

Name

Intermediate District 287

Legal name

Intermediate District 287

Website

https://district287.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Intermediate District 287 is a Minnesota special education cooperative that operates five site-based schools and itinerant programs to serve 12 member school districts with specialized K-12 and transition-age services, funded by member tuition on a $93 million budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-District Consortia & Shared Services Authorities (EDADABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL), Specialized Inclusive / Co-Taught Special Education Programs (EDAKAAAK), Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Alternative learning programs
• Career technical education
• Transition services
• Itinerant special education

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Billing: Revenue to fund District 287 student services is generated by tuition billing from member school districts. Special education programs operate on a fee-for-service basis. The regional consortium approach leverages economies of scale, resulting in lower costs to member districts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Intermediate District 287 operates a special education cooperative providing specialized K-12 and transition-age educational services through site-based schools, alternative learning centers, career and technical education, itinerant services, and online learning. Services are funded via fee-for-service tuition billing from 12 member school districts in Minnesota's West Metro area, covering students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, mental health conditions, and trauma-related needs.

Product overview

Intermediate District 287 is a cooperative educational consortium serving 12 member school districts in the West Metro area of Minnesota. The district operates a multi-site network of specialized schools and programs including Ann Bremer Education Center, North Education Center, South Education Center, West Education Center, and the Career & Tech Center. These site-based schools provide special education services, alternative learning, career & technical education, and transition programs. The district also offers online learning through Northern Star Online, hospital-based Care & Treatment programs, itinerant services for low-incidence disabilities, Gateway to College dual enrollment, Pathways CTE courses, West Suburban Summer School, and the Transitions Program for young adults. Programs are coordinated through a District Service Center using Finalsite-powered web infrastructure and the ParentVue/StudentVue student information system portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ann Bremer Education Center (ABEC): High school program serving students ages 14-22 with unique needs, focusing on academic, vocational, and independent living skills
• North Education Center (NEC)
• South Education Center (SEC)
• West Education Center (WEC)
• Career & Tech Center
• Alternative Learning Centers (ALC)
• Care & Treatment Programs
• Northern Star Online
• Transitions Program

Products and services

• Ann Bremer Education Center Site-based high school program serving students ages 14-22 with unique needs, focusing on building academic, vocational, and independent living skills.
• North Education Center Site-based K-12 school serving students with unique needs, including special education for Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Developmental Cognitive Disabilities.
• South Education Center Site-based school serving students kindergarten through transition age (22) with unique needs in an inclusive environment.
• West Education Center Provides innovative education in a structured environment for students grades 9-12 with emotional or behavioral needs, including transition programs and alternative learning.
• Career & Tech Center Career & Technical Education programs for high school students, providing industry certifications, college credit, and professional skills development across multiple career pathways.
• Alternative Learning Centers (ALC) Credit-based programs for students in grades 9-12, up to age 23, using the Modern Classroom instructional model to help students build confidence and earn high school diplomas.
• Northern Star Online Online learning program serving students across member districts with digital course offerings for flexible educational options.
• Care & Treatment Programs Educational services for students in hospital, day treatment, and residential programs, as well as adjudicated youth, delivered in partnership with healthcare and county organizations.
• Transitions Program Supports young adults ages 18-23 in developing skills for education and training, employment, independent living, and community access through individualized planning.
• Gateway to College Area learning center for students aged 16-22 to complete high school requirements while progressing toward college degree or occupational certificate.
• Pathways Courses Career & Technical Education courses organized in four career clusters: Building & Moving, Caring for Communities, Creating & Experiencing, and Investing in the Future.
• West Suburban Summer School Summer school program offering academic courses for students during summer months with registration and scholarship options.
• Itinerant Services Mobile services provided to students within member districts including Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Physical Disabilities, Speech-Language, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
• Diploma On Program providing support for students to earn their high school diploma through specialized services and referrals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of students enrolled 42+ days had academic goals entered; 88% of NSO students with learning goals completed courses vs 68% without goals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Allina HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for Care & Treatment programs serving students in hospital settings. Allina Health is one of five partner organizations providing services across eight locations.
• YouablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Care & Treatment programs serving students in day treatment and residential programs. One of five partner organizations across eight locations.
• Hennepin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Care & Treatment programs serving adjudicated youth. One of five partner organizations across eight locations for educational services.
• PrairieCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for Care & Treatment programs. PrairieCare provides psychiatric consultation and care at West Education Center. One of five partner organizations across eight locations.
• FairviewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for Care & Treatment programs serving students in hospital settings. One of five partner organizations providing services across eight locations.
• Hennepin Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer & Tech Center is located within Hennepin Technical College's Eden Prairie Campus. Students receive college credit through dual enrollment articulations. Transition program serves students at Hennepin Technical College campus.
• Brooklyn Center School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Eden Prairie SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Edina Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Hopkins Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Minnetonka Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Orono Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Osseo Area SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Richfield Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Robbinsdale School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• St. Louis Park Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Wayzata Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium. Provides shuttle transportation for Gateway to College students.
• Westonka Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 12 member school districts that refer students and co-fund specialized education programs through the consortium.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with VRS to create post-school plans for transition students. Collaborates with county social workers for comprehensive transition support.
• Hennepin Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEC Transition students who are more independent can be served at the Hennepin Technical College Eden Prairie campus for less structured, college-like environment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lakes Country Service Cooperative: Minnesota regional service cooperative offering special education cooperatives, itinerant services, and shared programming to member districts — comparable cross-district consortium structure.
• South Central Service Cooperative: Minnesota service cooperative providing special education, alternative learning, and shared services to member school districts in south-central Minnesota — directly comparable cooperative model.
• TIES (Technology & Information Educational Services): Minnesota education cooperative providing technology, student information systems (Synergy), and shared digital services to member school districts — overlaps in cooperative/shared services model.
• Northwest Service Cooperative: Regional service cooperative in northwest Minnesota delivering special education, career tech, and cooperative purchasing/shared services to K-12 member districts.
• Resource Training & Solutions: Minnesota special education cooperative providing special education staffing, professional development, and shared services to member districts in the east-central region.
• Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District: Minnesota intermediate school district serving member districts in the northeast Twin Cities metro with special education, career and technical education, and alternative learning programs — the closest structural analog to District 287.

Emerging players

• PACER Center: Minnesota-based parent training and information center supporting families of children with disabilities — adjacent in the special-education ecosystem though not a direct service competitor.

Regional players

• Area Education Agencies (Iowa AEA System): Iowa's regional Area Education Agencies deliver special education support, media services, and shared programming to school districts — structurally analogous regional consortium model.
• Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit #5: Pennsylvania intermediate unit providing special education, itinerant services, and shared programs to member school districts — comparable intermediate-unit structure outside Minnesota.

Broad incumbents

• MDE / Minnesota Department of Education Special Education Division: State-level regulator and partial funder of special education services in Minnesota; sets policy, funding, and compliance frameworks under which District 287 operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@intermediatedistrict287con3/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/district287
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/intermediate-district-287
• Instagraminstagram.com/isd_287/?hl=en
• Xx.com/district287

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Intermediate District 287