Watershed High School, a small tuition-free charter tucked into Richfield, will close for good on June 30 after months of mounting financial strain. The decision leaves roughly three dozen students and their teachers racing to lock in new classrooms and wrap up the school year at the same time.
Enrollment Slide And Rising Costs Pushed School Over The Edge
School leaders say enrollment has fallen to about 31 students, down from 57 last year, which slashed the state and federal dollars that make up most of the budget. Staff members told reporters that Watershed receives up to $12,000 per student each year but still has to cover fixed costs like roughly $20,000 in monthly rent and has no access to local levy funding, stretching an already thin bottom line. Those financial details and the June 30 closure date were reported by KSTP.
Close-Knit Community Grapples With Sudden Loss
Teachers and administrators describe Watershed as a small, tight-knit place where students got plenty of attention, which makes the closure sting even more. "It is pretty bittersweet that way," said Ryan Cooper, a special-education teacher and board member. Principal Elizabeth Kneip said "it just feels like too little, too late" as staff members scramble to pull together transfer options for every student. Senior Madeline "Maddy" Hage, who will be part of the school's final graduating class, told reporters she feels "bummed" but noted she has been accepted to Dakota County Technical College's dental program, according to KSTP.
Closure Fits Broader Pattern For Small Minnesota Charters
Watershed's shutdown joins a list of small charter schools across Minnesota calling it quits this spring, underscoring wider questions about how the state funds and oversees charters. A Star Tribune investigation found many Minnesota charter schools operate with roughly 70 percent of the funding that traditional district schools receive and often lease space rather than own buildings. That combination leaves tiny programs especially vulnerable when even a handful of students leave.
Where Families Can Turn For Information
Watershed staff say they are working to guide students through the transition and have shared contact information with families. Parents looking for details can find the school's office phone number, email address and its Richfield location at 6541 16th Ave. South listed on the homepage. Visit Watershed High School for enrollment and support resources.
