Now accepting 2024-2025 enrollments in grades 6-12 and 2023-2024 applications for our waitlist for grades 9-11 until May 6th.
A Minnesota online school with free and customized education that’s designed for you.
The key to BlueSky’s success is our unique approach to student support. BlueSky offers Minnesota students in grades 6-12 a world-class online education backed by unsurpassed resources and individualized attention, making us one of the top Minnesota online schools.
Customized
Here at BlueSky, we believe that every student deserves to learn in a way that is customized to their unique needs. BlueSky works alongside students, parents, and staff in order to design a program that works best for every student’s individual learning style while adhering to state education requirements as a Minnesota online school.
Supportive
The key to BlueSky’s success is our unique approach to student support. We offer students a world-class online education backed by unsurpassed resources and individualized attention. Our success as a Minnesota online school is contingent upon the success of our students, so we strive to give each and every BlueSky student the tools they need in order to feel supported and be successful.
Heritage
A pioneer in distance learning, BlueSky is the most established Minnesota online public charter school. Since 2000, BlueSky has provided a free, high- quality online curriculum to Minnesota students in grades 6 to 12. We are proud to be one of the first Minnesota online schools, offering world-class education to students from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.
BlueSky Stars
The BlueSky Advisors recognize these students for their hard work and dedication.
Beatrix
Beatrix is a fantastic example of a BlueSky Star Student for the month of April. Beatrix, a 12th grader, has consistently demonstrated BlueSky Star qualities of persistence, hard working, and great communication.
What Beatrix likes most about BlueSky is its “work at your own pace” approach. This flexibility has been crucial for her, as it enables her to balance her schoolwork with a part-time job at an aquarium, where she indulges her passion for fish and marine life. Additionally, she appreciates the supportive environment at BlueSky, where constant check-ins make her feel cared for by the adults in the school community.
To find success at BlueSky, Beatrix relies on a dedicated weekly schedule for completing her work. She ensures she works in environments conducive to focus, such as libraries or coffee shops. Outside of school, she spends her free time either hanging out with friends or engaging in creative pursuits like writing poems, making drawings, or crafting gifts.
Join us in congratulating Beatrix on her well-deserved success at BlueSky!
~ Nominated by Chester Johnson
Lydia
Lydia Darsow is featured as this month’s BlueSky Star Student because she is a great example of a wonderful student AND person! Lydia is in 12th grade this year and is looking forward to graduating! This is her second year with us at BlueSky. She has fully embraced the Online learning culture and appreciates being able to do her schoolwork at her own pace at any time of the day. She works hard on assignments and puts forth much effort. In fact she is on pace in all of her courses and she has excellent quality of work scores! She is also very communicative with teachers and support staff. Other than the flexibility, Lydia’s favorite thing about BlueSky is the staff. She said she enjoys, “how friendly, kind, and helpful every single staff member is!” Her favorite subject/class at BlueSky is Parenting. Lydia said, “I loved taking Parenting, that class was very interesting and a good setup for the future. Definitely has good advice and leads you down a good path.”
And personally, in her spare time, Lydia enjoys going to the gym and hanging out with friends and family. She also works a lot! She works at the MN famous Betty’s Pies in Two Harbors where she cooks, cleans, serves, and even bakes the delicious pies! She also works as a cook at the Island Lake Inn in Duluth.
After graduation, Lydia would like to go to college and pursue something in law enforcement.Overall, she is a wonderful student who I am grateful to work with each week! Lydia’s outgoing personality, hard work, and effort are much appreciated. She makes my job as an Advisor easy! This girl is going places!!!
~ Nominated by Danielle Fackler
Wesley
Wesley Beneke is a 7th grade BlueSky Star. He has made a significant turn around with his education this school year. Wesley came to BlueSky this fall because school was not his thing, the traditional school hours starting back in Kindergarten were a struggle and he did not have a positive school experience overall. Additionally, his mental health was impacting his ability to function in school. He and his mom thought online might be a better fit for him. The first few months were a challenge and a learning curve. Wesley said he had to really spend time figuring out how to navigate online school, he even took a non-school day and dug into how things work in an effort to embrace the learning platform.
Now Wesley is thriving with school, and his grades have really improved. Advice he would give to others is focused around developing good sleep habits. He said he had to start by sleep-training his cat Rosie so she would let him get a good night’s sleep. Wesley also advises being mindful of your work space, he said: “Don’t work in your bed, it’s gonna make you want to go to sleep.”
Wesley went on to share that he has developed a work before play program for himself, where he uses video games as a reward when his school work is done for the day.
In his free time he enjoys talking with his Grandparents on the phone, playing basketball, soccer, riding his bike and playing video games. When I asked what he is most excited about as the school year moves forward he said he is looking forward to having his Cousin, Dave Bjorklund, as a teacher for My Big Backyard this spring.
I could not be more proud of Wesley, he is an excellent communicator,very respectful, he is willing to listen to advice and accept support from others. Keep up the great work!
~ Nominated by Dawn Mensing
Royce
Royce Spry has been selected as a BlueSky Star for March. Since coming to BlueSky, Royce has shown that he is a hard worker with great ommunication skills and does his best to stay on top of his to-do list every week. Royce says that he tends to divide his to-do list up so that he just has to complete a certain amount every week.
In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his little brother, playing with his cat, and watching television. He also was a part of the BlueSky Esports team this past fall. He was part of a duo Rocket League team. He also enjoys Call Of Duty, Apex Legends, and Rainbow Six Siege. Keep working hard, Royce!
~Nominated by Sean Miller
Bailey
Bailey Bastyr, a new 10th grade student to BlueSky this year, is featured as this month’s BlueSky Star because she is a shining example of a well-rounded student. She is engaged in her schooling and works hard to stay on pace and does well in all her classes. I always enjoy her responses to my communications as they are always positive and usually make me smile. See below for what Bailey says about her experience here:
What I like about being a student at BlueSky is the flexibility I have and that the teachers are always there to help and want me to be successful. I chose BlueSky because I was trying to find an online school that would help me be successful in my academics. What I like most is that I can work at a pace that is best for me and that I can always reach out to my teachers for help at any time. What helps me shine as a student is to set goals and a checklist every week and to always reach out to my teachers whenever I need help. Some things I do in my free time include volleyball, hunting, and fishing. I also work part-time in childcare. My future career will likely be in the nursing field.
Congratulations Bailey!
~Nominated by Dawn Nicol
Sophie
I am honored to highlight Sophie Crayford, a junior, as a BlueSky Star this month. Sophie’s ambition, integrity, and kind heart are just a few of the many positive qualities that shine in her as a student and person. Sophie is a joy to work with, excellent communicator, and often inspires others (including her Advisor!) to try new things and work toward goals.
Sophie values the flexible schedule at BlueSky and uses it to her advantage by completing lessons early in the week which allows her time to maintain a job, pursue her interests, and relax. Sophie’s positive experience at BlueSky includes having access to support, unique elective courses, and various opportunities outside of classes. She shares, “The teachers, advisors, and counselors are always there for you when you need help.” In addition to her coursework, Sophie enjoys participating in National Honor Society, yearbook committee, and book club.
Outside of school, Sophie enjoys creating art, designing things digitally, going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with her cat! Sophie has a bright future ahead of her, and hopes to attend a 4-year college for either interior design or graphic design. We are so proud of her and are excited to be a part of her journey. Congratulations on a well-deserved honor, Sophie!
~Nominated by Hanna Coleman
Brayden
Brayden Jordan has been selected as a BlueSky Star for February because of his strong work ethic, excellent time management habits, and solid communication skills. These outstanding qualities have helped him successfully and consistently navigate his high school career thus far. Brayden, a current 10th grade student, came to BlueSky because he was seeking out local online options. At BlueSky, Brayden likes that he can have a flexible school schedule, can set his own pace in courses, and that his teachers are readily available to assist him if he has questions. When asked how he finds success at our school he shared that he does so by, “Sticking to my to do list and reaching out for help when needed.” In his free time, Brayden enjoys doing almost anything outdoors. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and trapping. In the future Brayden is interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator. Keep on shining, Brayden!
~Nominated by Carrie Ostman
Carlie
Carlie Rehnelt is being recognized for high academic achievement! Carlie is in 8th grade and had an amazing quarter 2 and finished her classes with all A’s! This is an improvement from the previous quarter. She joined BlueSky in late September because she wanted to try school in an online environment versus going in person. You could say that BlueSky has been a great fit for Carlie and we are so lucky to have her here! “Coming to BlueSky helped my mental health and getting good grades,” said Carlie when asked about her online school experience. In addition, Carlie mentioned that she switched to an online environment because she was witnessing students treat each other very badly.
Carlie enjoys playing softball, which is her biggest hobby, and hanging out with her friends. When asked about what she likes to do Carlie shared, “I spend my time outside of school getting into comfy clothes (I’m probably already in them) and watching shows and movies.” The most important things in her life are her family and friends.
Carlie has experienced many positives since coming to BlueSky including receiving this nomination for a BlueSky Star and being acknowledged for her hard work and commitment to her academics. She shared that she likes getting good grades because of how good it makes her feel. “Everyone is so nice and students and teachers are very helpful whenever you need them”, said Carlie about why she likes BlueSky so much. She stays motivated by writing down at least 5 assignments each day to make it less stressful. A tip to other students that Carlie shared is to have a mindset that after you are done with your homework for the day, you will have all the free time you want! And the earlier you get it done, the more free time you will have. Congratulations Carlie on all of your successes with BlueSky. I am excited to see more!
~ Nominated by Rashel Lane
Accreditation
BlueSky Online School’s curriculum, instruction and assessment practices, along its governance and leadership is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
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