VOYAGEURS EXPEDITIONARY SCHOOL

Nonprofit prepares Voyageurs students for Boundary Waters canoe trip

Leo Pomerenke — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:29:56 GMT

BEMIDJI — Students at Voyageurs Expeditionary High �� got a taste of the wilderness earlier this week, as Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness visited Bemidji to prepare students for their upcoming trip to the Boundary Waters in July.

Students signed up for the trip in the fall, when FBWW first visited the charter school to give students general outdoor education through their No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters program.

Now that the trip is right around the corner, Rachel Hedlund of FBWW gave students a refresher during her visit on Monday.

A popular place for camping, canoeing and fishing experiences, the Boundary Waters are located in northeastern Minnesota within the Superior National Forest. Extending over 150 miles along the border of Minnesota and Canada, the area covers roughly 1.1 million acres and has more than 1,000 lakes with miles of trails and portages connecting them.

Since there are no motors allowed in the majority of the area, most lakes are only accessible by portaging or carrying your boat and supplies across land on trails to the next lake.

During her visit, Hedlund primarily focused on team building and showing students how to pack a backpack efficiently and how to properly portage a canoe, all to make them more comfortable camping in the wilderness.

"I came over this time to go over packing, clothing, portaging, so that when they show up, they feel a little more prepared for the trip and don't feel as daunted by the experience,” Hedlund said.

According to teacher Austin Claseman, many of the students have gone on similar trips before and are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience the Boundary Waters later this summer.

“With our name being Voyagers Expeditionary, we really like to put an emphasis on the expedition stuff," Claseman said. "So, we really like doing trips like this, getting kids out in nature and outside of the classroom.”

Friends of the Boundary Waters is a nonprofit organization that does advocacy work to protect and promote the Boundary Waters. They travel to schools across the state to get “as many underserved and marginalized kids connected to the outdoors and Boundary Waters,” Hedlund detailed.

“We would love to get the spread across the whole state because the Boundary Waters is this incredible gem in Minnesota, but it's hard to access for people in all different parts of the state,” she said. “I started a little over a year ago out of Ely, and we just hired someone out of Grand Marais, so now we're able to reach wider and further.”

The programs come at no cost to the students or schools. It’s instead funded by the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Voyageurs has partnered with FBWW for the last few years, Hedlund said. The organization keeps coming back because they’ve gotten great feedback from the students.

“It's sweet with this school because a lot of the kids who've gone on the trips before are coming again, which is awesome to see that energy grow towards being outside and spending time outside,” Hedlund said. "A lot of these kids wouldn't be able to do these experiences otherwise."

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Veterinary science is on the horizon for Voyageurs' Kylee Seitz

Pioneer Staff Report — Sat, 31 May 2025 14:43:00 GMT

As graduation season arrives each year, the Pioneer features one graduate from each college and high school in the coverage area. Senior Kylee Seitz is this year’s featured graduate from Voyageurs Expeditionary ��, which will host its commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 4.

The Pioneer provided Seitz with a series of questions to answer:

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate high school I plan on going to the University of Minnesota in Crookston to study veterinary science. I will spend four years there, then transfer to a different university to get my doctorate.

What piqued your interest in veterinary science?

The main reason I want to be a veterinarian is that I’ve always loved being around animals, and I want to make a difference in their lives, but I also love that it’s so diverse. You can really customize what you focus on whether you go into large animal practice, mixed animal practice, or companion animal practice. It’s just a great field.

Have you had a favorite class throughout high school?

I really enjoyed most of my science classes. I specifically liked biology because learning about how things evolve and grow fascinates me, which most likely had a part in why I want to go into veterinary science.

What activities have you participated in?

I have been in the garden club at Voyageurs Expeditionary �� for quite a while, helping whenever I could. We would maintain and expand the garden, which ranged from weeding to building raised garden beds. Other than that, I got to volunteer at Great River Rescue with my school quite a bit, helping them clean the main areas and socialize the animals.

What’s been the greatest struggle or hardship you have overcome in your life?

One of my biggest struggles was having to balance work and school. I would pick up hours at work to save money, but then I would struggle to pay attention in school.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I would say my greatest achievement was learning how to balance work and school, while saving as much money as I can. I was actually able to save enough money to buy myself a car.

Who is your greatest mentor?

I would say my parents are my biggest mentors. They’ve always told me to do whatever makes me happy and how important it is to be myself. My parents have made me who I am today, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

If I have spare time in the summer, I’m normally outside sitting by the campfire or gardening. I also enjoy hiking, camping and fishing if I have someone who can come with me. In the winter, I like to go ice fishing with my family, especially my grandpa.

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Beltrami County graduation rate declines amidst historic statewide increase

Daltyn Lofstrom — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:17:04 GMT

BEMIDJI — The class of 2024 has earned bragging rights for having the highest graduation rate in recorded Minnesota history.

Based on results released by the Minnesota Department of Education on May 7, a total of 59,720 students — 84.2% of the 2024 graduating class overall — earned their diplomas across the state and marked a nearly 1% increase from the 2023 class rate of 83.3%.

Increases were reported across nearly every ethnic category, including students identifying as American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, as well as white students. Rates also increased for English learners, students from low-income families and those receiving special education services.

“The students of the class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone,” Commissioner Willie Jett said in a release. “I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups — especially those most at risk — and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code, and ability has access to a world-class education.”

Amidst these improvements, the release also noted mounting threats from the federal government to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, uproot federal education investments and roll back essential support for vulnerable students.

The department’s investments provide support, including:

$256 million for students with disabilities $192 million for students from low-income backgrounds $27 million for academic enrichment $6 million for students in rural schools $38 million to support children living on military bases or tribal lands $100 million for Career and Technical Education workforce development programs

“In the face of instability from the federal government, the MDE remains committed to supporting students and schools,” the release said.

Beltrami County

While the state trended upward, Beltrami County saw a slight decline from 65.8% in 2023 to 64.4% in 2024. Graduating 407 out of 632 students, 2024’s graduating class still saw a higher graduation rate compared to the 61.7% of students for 2022.

The county’s drop-out rate increased from 10.7% in 2023 to 16.1% in 2024, remaining higher than 2022’s drop-out rate of 11.4%.

Often used as an indicator for low-income students, those eligible for free or reduced lunches saw a very slight decrease in graduation from 51.2% in 2023 to 50.7%.

American Indian students improved upon 2023’s graduation rate, clocking in at 40.2% compared to the 2023 class’ 38.8%.

Similar to last year, female graduates ranked above their male counterparts at 67.1% and 61.9%, respectively. Both groups trended downward from 2023, with respective graduation rates of 67.5% and 64.2%.

Bemidji schools

After a 7.3% increase between 2022 and 2023, Bemidji Area ��s experienced a decline from 2023’s 77.6% graduation rate to 2024’s rate of 74.8%. A total of 288 students out of 385 graduated within four years, while 53 dropped out and 23 continued to earn their diplomas beyond a four-year timeline.

Students receiving free and reduced lunches came in below the district average and also experienced a decrease from 2023’s graduation rate of 61.2% to 60.6%.

Male students experienced a sharper decline from 2023 compared to their female counterparts. Males in 2024 graduated at 71.4% compared to 75.6% in 2023, and 2024 females graduated at 78.3% compared to 79.4% in 2023.

American Indian graduates experienced a rate increase from 2023, clocking in at 53.1% from 52% respectively.

For charter schools, TrekNorth Junior and Senior High �� saw noticeable improvement with 94.6% of all students graduating in 2024, up from 83.9% in 2023.

While Voyageurs Expeditionary �� did not show four-year graduation rates for 2023, it reported a 31.3% graduation rate for 2024. A total of five students graduated, while four dropped out, five continued their education and two were reported under the “unknown” category, which tracks students who were either incorrectly reported or not reported as enrolled in another district.

Other area schools

After experiencing a considerable decline from 2022, Cass Lake-Bena Public ��s saw a slight improvement, graduating 56.3% in 2024 and 50.6% in 2023. Their rate in 2023 marked a decline from 83.1% in 2022.

Red Lake Public ��s showed a 22.2% four-year graduation rate, down from 29.9% in 2023.

After a roughly 8% decline from 2022, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig �� essentially broke even with its 2023 rate of 57.1%.

A complete list of graduation rates for schools, districts and counties across the state can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education’s website.

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Bemidji area charter schools share their mission at TrekNorth forum

Daltyn Lofstrom — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:28:13 GMT

BEMIDJI — Given its variety of educational options, Bemidji area charter school directors and staff congregated at TrekNorth Junior and Senior High �� on Thursday to share their respective missions in a forum format.

Hosted by Project Graduate 100% and the Bemidji Lions Club, the forum served as an informational session on Bemidji area charter schools, including TrekNorth, Voyageurs Expeditionary ��, ��craft Learning Community, Aurora Waasakone Community of Learners and Endazhi-Nitaawiging in Red Lake.

A core focus of the forum was the key differences between charter schools and other school systems as well as their unique challenges.

“Are charter schools better than other schools? Well, they’re better for some students,” former Red Lake High �� Principal John Eggers said. “It’s hard to put a grade on a school. Every school serves a special need for a particular student, and they answer a need that is not being answered by regular schools.”

Eggers shared that the state of Minnesota includes around 180 charter schools. In addition, Minnesota was the first state to pass charter school legislation in 1991.

“That’s kind of unique,” Eggers added, “and other states are trying to model the charter school model that we have here in Minnesota.”

Charter schools operate independently of the established state school system in which they are located and have their own governing boards. Formed as nonprofit corporations, charter schools enter into a legally binding charter contract with an authorizer, which serves as the oversight body of the school.

Information compiled by the Minnesota Association of Charter ��s shows that 69,766 PreK-12 students, or just over 8% of the statewide student population, are enrolled in charter schools. Since the 2004-2005 school year, enrollment in charter schools has grown to that total number from 17,500.

Since the 2021-2022 school year, charter school enrollment has increased by roughly 6%. Charter schools often have specific program focuses ranging from environmental education to global citizenship and service learning to social justice.

Bemidji’s charter schools

As the newest charter school in the Bemidji area, Endazhi-Nitaawiging opened its permanent location in November 2023, two years after its initial groundbreaking. Serving grades K-8, the school places a particular emphasis on Ojibwe values as a way to immerse younger students in Indigenous knowledge and culture.

Endazhi-Nitaawiging board member Sylvia Fred shared what led to the charter school’s inception and the value it brings to its students.

“Charters come from community want and need, when children aren’t getting what they need in the public school. That’s where it all starts,” Fred said. “We’re providing education in a different way that is student-centered. It doesn’t mean (the regular school system) is bad and it doesn’t mean it’s better. It’s just another option.”

Operating since 2019, AWCL opened its permanent location at 3604 Bemidji Avenue in October 2022 after outgrowing its previous space in the Beltrami County Community Services Center Building. AWCL has a particular focus on place-based learning.

“We have environmental education goals that are embedded right in our school,” AWCL Executive Director Anna Wallin said. “Our big focus is learning from where we are.”

Enrolling approximately 200 students, ��craft Learning Community is the oldest charter school in the area — initially opening at Concordia Language Villages in April 2000. In 2018, it moved into its current location in the former Deer Lake Elementary, about 17 miles north of Bemidji.

“When ��craft was founded, it was founded as an expeditionary learning, outward bound school where expeditionary learning was like a teaching model,” Director of Operations Mark Bjornrud said. “Our charter school is pretty outdoors focused.”

As part of its Experiential Education Program, TrekNorth also includes an outdoors focus as one of its three pillars, alongside advanced placement classes and service learning.

“In order for students to graduate, they must participate in at least three experiences in our Experiential Education program, which houses both of our outdoor adventure and our service learning programs,” Executive Director Erica Harmsen said.

Voyageurs Expeditionary �� opened in 2003 and, as its name suggests, focuses on expeditionary learning. Its roughly 80% Indigenous enrollment provides additional learning opportunities as well.

“We have really leaned into that stat,” Executive Director Ryan Haasch said, “getting back to learning about local history.”

With a greater understanding of the Bemidji area’s charter schools, attendees left with a bit more understanding of their role and purpose in the community.

“There are still a lot of questions about what charter schools are doing,” Eggers said. “When you look at Beltrami County and the schools that are in it, we’re really blessed to have such a variety of schools.”

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Tall Paul visits Voyageurs Expeditionary ��

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:53:45 GMT

Voyageurs Expeditionary �� hosted Anishinaabe/Oneida hip-hop artist Tall Paul earlier this month to kick off Native American Heritage Month with a school-wide performance.

Tall Paul's songs speak on various issues affecting Indigenous communities such as addiction, suicide, residential school histories and more. They also tell stories of survival, Indigenous excellence and resilience, a release said.

Tall Paul spoke to students about his sobriety journey, growing up in difficult environments, attending college and how hard he worked to reach his successes. Voyageurs students asked many questions and were able to engage in uplifting and inspiring conversations with Tall Paul. He assured them that they could be anybody and do anything they wanted to do.

"It was a gift to witness Tall Paul inspire our students to reach for excellence," Voyageurs' Executive Director Ryan Haasch said in the release. "We will be welcoming him back this winter to host a creative writing workshop for our young men."

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Waase Fisherman takes on leadership role as MAAP STARS state representative

Daltyn Lofstrom — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 13:50:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Not too long ago, Waase Fisherman was none the wiser that MAAP STARS existed, let alone what its purpose was.

With encouragement from students and staff at Voyageurs Expeditionary ��, he would not only become involved in the leadership development program but also earn a state representative position for the 2024-2025 school year.

“I never really knew about MAAP STARS until our executive director (Ryan Haasch) asked me if I wanted to join,” Fisherman recalled. “I was a bit curious about it and did not expect much out of it.”

MAAP, or the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, oversees MAAP STARS as an organization designed for youth in alternative education settings, such as charter schools. The program focuses on leadership, development and career preparedness via conferences and other events.

The program’s focus on success, teamwork, achievement, recognition and self-esteem spells out the “STARS” portion of the organization’s name. After attending a spring 2022 conference, Fisherman immediately made gains in these areas.

“It really helped me boost my morale and confirmed what I wanted to do within MAAP STARS,” Fisherman said.

During a fall leadership conference in 2023, Fisherman threw his hat into the ring and ran for a state representative position — though he would miss out to Voyageurs’ ShayLynn Ostlund. Despite the loss, Fisherman would rely on Ostlund during his preparation to run again this year.

“ShayLynn taught me a lot about the responsibilities and roles of an officer,” Fisherman said, “so I prepared myself over the summer.”

Fisherman would soon clinch a position and take on the added duties associated with it.

“Here I am today, an officer, and I’m proud of it,” Fisherman added. “I’m proud of the work and the duty I’ve made for myself and hope to make more for others around me.”

Fisherman noted additional support he has received from Kathy Skinner, Voyageurs’ director of finance, alongside the mentorship of Ostlund and other staff members.

“They’ve all really helped me, gave me tips on what I need to do and gave me advice on next steps,” Fisherman said. “I probably wouldn’t have run for officer especially if ShayLynn hadn’t encouraged me to.”

Fisherman hopes to remain involved with MAAP STARS post-graduation and letting the public know about its multifaceted benefits.

“It’s not just a place where you meet up. It’s also a place where you can define your goals, to help you plan for your future,” Fisherman noted. “It’s not just a place where you can socialize, but it’s a place where you can find lifelong partners and lifelong friends.”

Above all else, Fisherman aims to stay true to who he is as he benefits the communities around him.

“I do what I can to do good for the community of Bemidji and Beltrami County as it is my personality,” he left off. “My greatest dedication is to help people.”

More information can be found at www.maapmn.org.

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Voyageurs' Rose (Binx) Dunkley hits milestone with graduation

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 31 May 2024 16:21:19 GMT

As graduation season arrives each year, the Pioneer features one graduate from each college and high school in the coverage area. Senior Rose (Binx) Dunkley is this year’s featured graduate from Voyageurs Expeditionary ��, which hosted its commencement ceremony on Thursday.

The Pioneer provided Dunkley with a series of questions to answer:

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to wait two years and save money to go to cosmetology school.

What piqued your interest in cosmetology?

I like to do hair, and I've done my own hair for the past 10-plus years.

Have you had a favorite class throughout high school?

My favorite class by far has been World History.

What activities have you participated in?

I've participated in the drama club, prom committee and the yearbook.

What’s been the greatest struggle or hardship you have overcome in your life?

The greatest struggle I’ve faced was my learning disability, but with the help of trusted people, I've come very far in life.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

What I consider my greatest achievement is graduating on time. When I first started high school, I never thought I would be able to graduate on time because of how far behind I was intellectually, but here I am.

Who is your greatest mentor?

My greatest mentors are Kayla and Monica. Both of them have been very big supports for me since middle school.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

What I like to do in my free time is read, write, paint and play with my fur baby/son, Bruno-Aron.

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Voyageurs Expeditionary �� students donate to Great River Rescue

Pioneer Staff Report — Sat, 18 May 2024 15:00:00 GMT

A group of students from Voyageurs Expeditionary �� put together and donated a variety of blankets, toys, treats and other items to Great River Rescue.

The students each completed roughly 16 hours of community service over the course of a week to make the items using materials donated by Union Station Thrift.

Great River Rescue makes sure every adopted animal is sent to their forever home with blankets, toys, treats and more, a release said.

The mission of Voyageurs is to provide students with the necessary tools to lead productive lives through hands-on learning, service to others and environmental stewardship. This group of students chose to practice these skills by reusing materials and giving back to their community.

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ShayLynn Ostlund steps into leadership as MAAP STARS state representative

Daltyn Lofstrom — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 13:45:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Though reluctant at first, Shaylynn Ostlund jumped at the opportunity to expand upon her leadership ability.

Attending Voyageurs Expeditionary �� since last year, the junior attended a conference in the fall of 2022 that focused on success, teamwork, achievement, recognition and self-esteem.

As it turns out, such areas of focus spelled out the namesake of the conference and program for which Ostlund would lead: MAAP STARS.

According to its website, the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs — MAAP — oversees MAAP STARS as an organization designed for youth in alternative education settings, such as charter schools. The program focuses on leadership, development and career preparedness via conferences and other events.

Prior to starting at Voyageurs for the 2022-2023 school year, Ostlund attended Bemidji High ��. During that time, Ostlund had friends who attended Voyageurs which appealed to her because of its smaller feel.

“My friends introduced me to Voyageurs and I thought ‘It’s a smaller school, I know people here and I have a family here,’” Ostlund said.

Kathy Skinner, Voyageurs’ director of finance and operations, played a pivotal role in Ostlund’s entrance into MAAP STARS once Ostlund found her niche at the school.

“Kathy approached me and told me about MAAP STARS,” Ostlund said. “She was like ‘I think you should give it a try.’”

After learning more about what the program entailed, Ostlund’s run for a state representative position with MAAP STARS naturally fell into place.

“I decided I was going to take this opportunity and see how far I could go with it,” Ostlund recalled. “After I got into it, I actually liked it and thought it was something that helped me be more social with people and helped me with my academic skills. It’s given me a pretty big role in school and it keeps me busy.”

Among her added responsibilities as a state representative, Ostlund noted her intentions to not only represent her school and MAAP STARS, but also other Indigenous people as a Red Lake Nation member.

She also hopes to spread awareness for murdered and missing Indigenous women as well as those affected by fentanyl use. Ostlund’s aunt, Shalyssa, passed away in April, adding another layer to her motivation to lead.

“I really want my auntie’s name to be out there and to spread awareness of what (fentanyl) can do to our people,” Ostlund added, “and to have more say on her name because she deserves that. She pushed me a lot last year.

“I feel this would give me a really great opportunity to get my name out there and to get more recognition on these things because they’re not recognized enough.”

Having returned from a leadership training at the beginning of November, Ostlund has already honed what she’s learned by planning for the future.

After graduation, she noted tentative plans to work at Oshkiimaajitahdah in Redby where her mother also works. At a certain point, she would like to pursue veterinary science.

No matter which direction she heads, she aims to represent herself and her culture in a positive light as she continues her journey into leadership with MAAP STARS.

“It’s really made me more confident and has boosted my self-esteem,” Ostlund left off. “It’s just uplifted me in a lot of ways.”

More information on MAAP STARS can be found at www.maapmn.org.

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Bemidji Career Academies opens Career Fair up to other area schools

Daltyn Lofstrom — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 21:36:32 GMT

BEMIDJI — For several years, the Bemidji Career Academies Career Fair has aided thousands of Bemidji High �� students in their exploration of career paths after they graduate.

With the exact energy expected from the event at the high school on Monday morning, nearly 1,800 students flooded both gymnasiums and the halls to interact with over 50 area businesses and colleges.

Traditionally offered to BHS students only, Bemidji Career Academy staff opted for a slight twist to this fall’s fair: inviting other area schools to take part.

“It’s always been on our radar to invite other schools because when we work with our partners, they’re working with greater Bemidji and the entire community,” Coordinator Jenny Fraley said. “It’s not just BHS, so we want to recognize that. We also want to show them what the BCA program is all about.”

Inviting schools within a 60-mile radius, over 100 students attended from TrekNorth Junior and Senior High ��, Voyageurs Expeditionary ��, Red Lake and Northome High ��.

“As we’ve developed the career fair the last few years, our next logical step was to expand it a little bit,” BHS Principal Jason Stanoch said. “Many of our contiguous school districts now have an opportunity to see what our employers and partners have to offer.”

Among a wide range of employers and representatives from local colleges, students had a chance to complete hands-on activities such as trying their hand at an airplane simulator offered by the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence, which was stationed in a trailer outside the school.

At a booth headed by Central Lakes College, students could test their skills on an excavator simulator. At Northwest Technical College’s Early Childhood Education booth, attendees could learn about fetal alcohol and shaken baby syndrome with dolls commonly used in NTC’s early childhood classes.

Other organizations included Crystal Sugar Company, NLFX Professional, Choice Therapy and Bemidji State University.

“These are some fantastic things for our kids to see,” Stanoch said. “We have quite a diverse offering for kids to explore and this represents the possibilities for our kids really well.”

With the introduction of a hiring fair first held in April, Fraley detailed a certain pipeline that students go through when attending the career fair in the fall before the hiring fair takes place each spring.

“Employers get to talk about their industry (at the career fair) and tell students what it’s about instead of students guessing what it’s about,” Fraley said. “When students are looking for jobs in the spring, they already have that background knowledge of what that career is. Ultimately, the relationship between potential future employees and the employers is what students get out of it.”

She added that such an opportunity like the career fair allows students a chance to find out what they may want to do for a career, but also what they don’t want to do.

“They might have an idea of what a job is, and then they visit with the people who do that and they may realize ‘that’s not at all what I thought it was,’” Fraley said, “and that is just as valuable.”

As more fairs are planned moving into the future, a goal for Fraley is to continue offering opportunities for other area schools to reap the rewards of BCA’s career fairs just as BHS students have done.

“I work with a lot of school counselors and they wish there was more of an opportunity, especially in rural areas, to bring their students (to career fairs),” Fraley said, “and Bemidji seems like a natural space to have that.”

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