Minnewaska Area Schools

What Minnewaska Area Schools does

Minnewaska Area Schools (ISD 2149) is a public K-12 school district and political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, serving students in Glenwood, Starbuck, and surrounding communities in Pope County. The district operates an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, and the W.I.N. Academy alternative education program, supplemented by Little Lakers Preschool, the Lakes Area Enrichment Center (childcare), Early Childhood Family Education, and Early Childhood Special Education. The stated mission is to "engage every student, every day," supported by an average class size of 23 and 32 extracurricular activities with over 75% of high school students participating in at least one.

The district's core instructional product is a 1:1 Mobile Learning program that issues Chromebooks to all students and is built on Google Apps for Education, with technology infrastructure funded by a voter-approved November 2023 levy. In Fall 2024, Minnewaska launched the Career Pathways program, organizing grades 9-12 instruction around three tracks — Business Communications and Entrepreneurship, Health Sciences and Human Services, and Agriculture, Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology — supported by local business partnerships and 66 college credits available. Above-state-average Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment results (6% above in reading, 14.7% in math, 10.4% in science, ranking 3rd/5th/4th among 23 regional schools) and the Laker Pride Advisory program (pairing each 9th-12th grade student with an advisor for four years) form the academic and student-engagement backbone.

Revenue is not commercially generated; the district is funded through state education aid, local property taxes, and federal grants, with periodic voter-approved bond referendums supporting capital and technology investments. Fee-based revenue is limited to Community Education classes, preschool, and childcare. Community philanthropic activity is material relative to scale, with $248,650 in scholarships awarded to 65 graduating seniors in 2025 through Dollars for Scholars and 25 independent scholarships administered by the Laker Foundation. The district is governed by an elected school board (Chair Ted Reichmann), with current Superintendent Chip Rankin (nine-year tenure) being succeeded by Scott Lempka effective July 1, 2026, and an announced absorption of Glacial Hills Charter School for the 2026-2027 school year.

Name

Minnewaska Area Schools

Legal name

Minnewaska Area School District

Website

https://minnewaska.k12.mn.us

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Public K-12 school district (ISD 2149) operating elementary, middle, and high schools plus preschool and childcare programs for families in Glenwood, Starbuck, and surrounding Pope County, Minnesota communities, with 1:1 Chromebook learning and three career pathway tracks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), Early Intervention Academic Readiness (Pre-K–Early Elementary) (EDAKADAG), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Specialized Learning Support (Dyslexia/LD Coaching, Assistive Strategies) (EDAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• Early childhood education
• Career pathways programs
• Mobile learning devices
• Community education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glenwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a public school district (ISD 2149), Minnewaska Area Schools is funded primarily through state education funding, property taxes, and federal education grants. Revenue supports K-12 education operations, facilities, technology, and student programs.
2. Bond Referendums: District periodically seeks voter approval for bond measures to fund capital improvements, such as the November 2025 bond referendum for facility upgrades and the technology levy approved in November 2023.
3. Community Donations and Scholarships: Laker Foundation and community donors provide scholarships to graduating seniors. In 2025, $248,650 was awarded to 65 graduating seniors through Dollars for Scholars and independent scholarships.
4. Community Partnership Pledges: District seeks community financial support for specific initiatives like childcare services ($100,000 annual pledges sought for Lakes Area Enrichment Center).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Minnewaska Area Schools (ISD 2149) is a public school district providing free K-12 education to students in Glenwood, Starbuck, and surrounding Pope County communities. Its core offering includes elementary, middle, and high school academic instruction, a 1:1 Mobile Learning program with Chromebooks, the Minnewaska Career Pathways program with three career-focused tracks for grades 9-12, early childhood and preschool programs, alternative education through W.I.N. Academy, and extracurricular activities. Supporting services include childcare (Lakes Area Enrichment Center), Community Education classes for adults, and online portals for academic tracking and payments.

Product overview

Minnewaska Area Schools (ISD 2149) is a public school district in Minnesota operating multiple schools including Elementary School, Middle School, High School, W.I.N. Academy (alternative education), Little Lakers Preschool, Lakes Area Enrichment Center (childcare), and Early Childhood Family Education/Special Education programs. The district's core educational products include a 1:1 Mobile Learning Program (Chromebooks for all students), Minnewaska Career Pathways (three career-focused pathways for grades 9-12), and the Laker Pride Advisory program. Additional services include StudentVUE/ParentVUE portals for academic tracking, SchoolPay for online payments, Live Streaming for events, and eLearning Days for weather closures. The district offers 32 extracurricular activities and serves students from preschool through high school.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Minnewaska Elementary School K-6 elementary education program at the Glenwood, MN campus at 409 4th St. SE, serving district-resident children with core academic instruction and an average class size of 23.
• Minnewaska Area Middle School Grades 7-8 middle school education program at the Glenwood, MN campus at 25122 State Highway 28, providing core academic instruction and preparation for high school.
• Minnewaska Area High School Grades 9-12 high school education program at the Glenwood, MN campus at 25122 State Highway 28, offering college preparation with 66 college credits available, Laker Pride Advisory program, and access to Minnewaska Career Pathways.
• W.I.N. Academy Alternative education program at 500 John St., Starbuck, MN, serving students seeking alternative educational pathways.
• Little Lakers Preschool Early childhood preschool program serving young learners in the district as part of the early childhood education offerings.
• Lakes Area Enrichment Center Childcare services at the Starbuck campus providing before- and after-school care for district families, operated in partnership with Lakes Area Enrichment Center.
• Early Childhood Family Education Family education program supporting families with young children through early childhood development resources and programming.
• Early Childhood Special Education Special education services for early childhood students with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Minnewaska Career Pathways Career-focused program for grades 9-12 students with three distinct pathways—Business Communications and Entrepreneurship; Health Sciences and Human Services; and Agriculture, Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology—providing hands-on learning, real-world experience, and local business partnerships.
• 1:1 Mobile Learning Program District-wide 1:1 student-to-device initiative providing each student with a Chromebook for seamless, dynamic, and personalized learning experiences that develop 21st-century skills.
• Community Education Community Education program offering adult education classes, enrichment activities, and lifelong learning opportunities for community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reading proficiency exceeded state average by 6% (grades 3-8 and 10)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Lakes Area Enrichment Center (LAEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024Minnewaska Area Schools partnered with Lakes Area Enrichment Center (LAEC) to provide childcare services. The district renovated space at the Starbuck campus to house LAEC childcare after the organization needed to vacate its Glenwood location. The district sought $100,000 in annual community pledges to sustain the program.
• Pope County Childcare HubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPope County Childcare Hub moves forward with nearly $4 million in secured funding. The bond referendum includes partnership to expand Pope County childcare access, addressing critical childcare shortage in the community.
• Glacial Hills Charter SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlacial Hills Charter School and Minnewaska Area Schools are exploring a potential partnership to combine educational services. Under the proposed arrangement, Glacial Hills would cease operations as a charter school and transition to MAS for the 2026-2027 school year. A Starbuck location would remain open. The partnership aims to expand environmental and lake-focused learning experiences.
• Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school board conducted superintendent searches in partnership with MSBA's Executive Search Service. MSBA helped conduct public engagement surveys (288 respondents) and facilitated the selection process for new superintendent Scott Lempka.
• Laker FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLaker Foundation supports Minnewaska Area Schools through fundraising and scholarship programs. The foundation has expanded its mission to help MAS students succeed academically and pursue higher education.
• Minnewaska Dollars for ScholarscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDollars for Scholars program operated since 1992, providing scholarships to graduating seniors. In 2025, awarded $248,650 in scholarships to 65 graduating seniors through 25 independent scholarships and 45 Dollars for Scholars scholarships.
• Local BusinessesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Pathways program partners with local businesses to expand student learning through work experience opportunities and real-world career exposure across the three career pathways.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Paynesville Area Public Schools: Public school district in Stearns County. Similar in enrollment scale, rural-anchored model, and dependence on community referendums for facility investment.
• Willmar Public Schools: Mid-sized Minnesota public school district serving a regional hub west of Minneapolis. Comparable in operating model (K-12 public district, state aid funding, similar community-led engagement) and serves a similar rural/regional population.
• Alexandria Public Schools: Public school district serving Douglas County in west-central Minnesota. Highly comparable to MAS in scale, governance (elected board, superintendent model), rural-anchored enrollment, and reliance on state aid plus local referendums.
• Brainerd Public Schools: Larger central Minnesota public school district. Closely comparable in funding structure and rural-anchored operations; notably the destination district for outgoing MAS Superintendent Chip Rankin, signaling comparable scale and culture.
• Sauk Centre Public Schools: Public K-12 district in Stearns County, MN. Comparable size and rural setting, with similar reliance on bond referendums and community engagement for capital projects.
• Morris Area Public Schools: Public school district in Stevens County in west-central Minnesota. Comparable in enrollment scale, rural community profile, and academic offerings including Career Pathways-style programming.
• Lac qui Parle Valley Schools: Smaller Minnesota public school district previously led by incoming MAS Superintendent Scott Lempka. Highly comparable in scale, governance structure, and rural community-led model.
• Benson Public Schools: Public K-12 district in Swift County, MN. Comparable rural Minnesota profile, similar per-pupil funding exposure, and similar reliance on community support for capital and program expansion.
• Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Schools: Consolidated rural Minnesota public school district. Directly comparable as a multi-community K-12 district serving a small-town population, with similar operational scale to MAS.

Broad incumbents

• Glacial Hills Charter School: Area charter school slated to consolidate into MAS for the 2026-2027 school year. Comparable as a regional K-8 alternative public provider competing for the same Pope County enrollment pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WaskaPride
• Facebookfacebook.com/waskapride

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Minnewaska Area Schools