Enrollment FAQs

What is the cost to attend your school?

DECS is a public charter school. There is no fee to attend.

Do you have to live in Minnesota to attend?
Yes. Because we are a public school, students are required to be residents of Minnesota.

How old does my child need to be to enroll in kindergarten?
All students who enroll in kindergarten must be five years old by September 1 of the year they attend.

Is busing provided?
Yes. For our K-5 students we offer busing to our North Star and Raleigh academies based on where you live in the Duluth ISD 709 school boundaries. For grades 6-8, we bus all students to our North Star Academy site from anywhere within ISD 709 boundaries.

What are the school start and end times?
Raleigh Academy: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
North Star Academy: 8:35 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What is your average class size?
This varies. Kindergarten is around 25 students and first and second grade is around 26 students. Third through eighth grade classes are 26-28. However, some reading and math classes are much smaller depending on student needs.

How is a charter school different from a “regular” public school?
From a structural point of view, a charter school has their own school board elected by parents of students who attend the school, staff, and teachers. This is a public board that sets policy for the school. A charter school has the freedom to create its own school programming as long as it meets Minnesota state standards and other public school requirements.

Additional information about DECS, our programs, as well as applications
for admission can be obtained by calling Carolyn Rich at 218-728-9556 x5006.