A charter school will open on the White Earth Ojibwe Reservation this fall, the first such school in northwestern Minnesota.

The charter will be located in Naytahwaush, a town of 600. It is an alternative to the Naytahwaush Elementary School, a public school.

Supporters say the charter will emphasize Ojibwe culture and raise academic performance. But some question whether it will hurt the public school by taking money away from the local school district, which receives about $10,850 per student in state and federal aid.

About 80 students have signed up for the charter, meaning the school district will lose about $870,000 in funds.

Get the Story:
Charters divide students, loyalties: Formation of school creates rift between Naytahwaush, Mahnomen (The Fargo Forum 5/18)
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