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1780 West 7th Street
St. Paul
MN
55116

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Community Education by the Numbers

Mission, Vision, Values

Mission
Community Education seeks to improve quality of life by providing lifelong learning opportunities for all members of the community.

Vision
Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education will advocate and provide positive, meaningful educational experiences for citizens of all ages by linking community needs and resources, supporting academics, and promoting the development of life skills, thereby enhancing the quality of our communities.

Values
Lifelong learning is based on the belief that people are learners at every age and are entitled to pursue educational opportunities that are meaningful to them.

History
Community Education in the State of Minnesota began in 1969 with the passing of the “Lighted Schoolhouse Legislation,” which made it possible for school buildings to stay open for community use in the evening.  The concept of Community Education is predicated on two fundamental values - lifelong learning and community/citizen involvement.

Today, Community Education in Minnesota exists as a comprehensive statewide delivery system utilizing all 342 school districts to provide programs for community members of all ages, including School Readiness, Adult Basic Education, Out-of-School Time learning for youth, Early Childhood and Family Education, Adults with Disabilities and Adult Enrichment.  Community Education programs are funded through a combination of levies, aids and user fees.

This means that every day participants can get help with homework, learn a new skill for job advancement, satisfy one’s curiosity about another’s culture and language, explore a new hobby, improve personal fitness, unleash creativity at an art class, learn new parenting strategies, plan for a strong financial future, or connect with neighbors at the local senior center. Classes and activities are accessible to all learners and held in public school buildings during the days, nights and weekends, making neighborhood schools a valued resource for everyone.

Thanks to partnerships with businesses, area chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, nonprofits and the work of involved citizens, Community Education in Minnesota serves over 3,000,000 participants yearly and generates $4.00 in additional revenue for every dollar of state levy and aid support.