Future Home for Anishinabe Academy

Architect- Cuningham Group & Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design

Landscape Architect – Urban Ecosystems Landscape Architects

Construction Manager – H+U Construction & Indigenous Path Construction

September 2026 – MPS will submit a package to the Minneapolis Planning Commission’s Committee of the Whole to receive preliminary input from the City on the site design and engineering. The date will be established at a later time and neighbors will be informed.

June 9, 2026 – The Minneapolis Public Schools Board passed resolution 2026-0047 authorizing the Superintendent to proceed to Gate Check B, developing the design of the Steering Committee’s recommended option of the construction of a new PK-8 school on the site of the former Cooper Elementary School.

(https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1807?meeting=743607)

May 12, 2026 – The Minneapolis Public Schools Board heard a presentation by the Planning, Design, and Construction team along with the design team summarizing the Predesign Project Charter created for Gate Check A.

Winter/Spring 2026 – The design team completed the predesign report presenting four potential concepts which investigate a PK-5 or a PK-8 model either renovating the existing building or new construction. Concept 1B (PK-8 New Construction) was explored deeper through detailed floor plans, site plan design, and massing as it was determined to most effectively support the long-term academic continuity, cultural connections, and meaningful partnerships envisioned by the school community while still providing generous ground-level outdoor space, and access to outdoor learning and gathering areas desired by the surrounding neighbors.

Please find the Predesign Charter and Staff Summary at the top of the page under our resource section.

October 27, 2025 - Pipe Ceremony 

The Anishinabe Academy hosted a pipe ceremony at the former Cooper Elementary site.

September 9, 2025 – The school board authorized the contract for Cuningham Group Architecture Inc. for the predesign phase for the future home of Anishinabe Academy.

August 8, 2025 – The interview committee selected Cuningham Group and Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design as the architectural team. H + U Construction was selected as the Construction Manager. Both teams have extensive experience designing and construction with Native communities.

(https://www.fullcircleplanning.com) (https://www.cuningham.com)

(https://hu-construction.com)

June 23, 2025 – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued requesting proposals from architectural and construction management teams interested in providing professional services for the Future Home of Anishinabe Academy. A interview committee was selected including members of Anishinabe Academy staff, members of the Anishinabe Facility Advisory Committee, and staff from the Planning, Design, & Construction department.

May 13, 2025 – Minneapolis Public Schools Board passed Resolution No. 2025-0030 directing the Superintendent to further explore and begin to implement the recommendation of the Anishinabe Academy Facility Committee

(Click here for Meeting Minutes Notes)

March 11, 2025 – the Anishinabe Academy Facility Advisory Committee presented the Recommendations Report stating that the Anishinabe Facility Advisory Committee recommends that the Board of Education support Anishinabe Academy’s mission of integrating and reclaiming American Indian identities, cultures, and languages through authentic academic experience by constructing a purpose-built new PK-8 school building on the site of the former Cooper Elementary or an alternative site if available and approved by the committee.

(Click Here for Meeting Minutes Notes)

June 11, 2024 – the Minneapolis Public Schools Board passed Board Resolution No. 2024-0028 creating the Anishinabe Academy Facility Advisory Committee to present a recommendation to the school board listing potential sites so that Anishinabe Academy can have its own building.

(Click Here for Meeting Minutes Notes)

A. Why a new building?

Building a new, dedicated space for Anishinabe Academy helps fulfill a commitment MPS made to its American Indian students and community to offer a high-quality education in a physical space that integrates and reclaims Dakota and Ojibwe culture. A new facility for Anishinabe Academy allows MPS to serve an even larger American Indian community, all in one place. The current design allows MPS to serve between 650 – 700 students growing from the current PK-5 to a PK-8 model. 

B. Why for this particular community? 

Students have better outcomes when their teachers reflect them, their language and their culture.  The physical environment is an important component of a student’s educational experience and Anishinabe Academy’s current facility has limited our ability to fully realize our mission of providing a culturally responsive education for American Indian students. Minneapolis Public Schools sits and operates on the homeland of our Dakota relatives and as we seek to recognize, honor and celebrate the heritage, cultures and valuable contributions from the original inhabitants of this land, turtle island, this project honors both our Dakota and Anishinabe relatives who are still here. Although the design and programming will be tailored to provide an American Indian perspective, the school will be open to students of all backgrounds to a diverse school community.

C. Where is the project currently in the Approvals process?

MPS has created a multiple phase approval process for the Board to consider individually before proceeding to the next phase of work. In May 2026, the design team presented a predesign report to the Board with a description of the project scope, schedule, and rough order of magnitude cost as Gate Check A. Staff was directed to proceed to Gate Check B where staff will propose a finalized budget and funding structure. Gate Check B is expected to be completed around December 2026.

D. Will the site remain accessible to the public?

Yes! We have heard repeatedly from both the school community and the Longfellow neighbors about the importance of having open space on site that is accessible to everyone. Like other MPS sites, the building grounds will be open for public use outside of school hours. Anishinabe Academy school hours are currently 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m., Monday through Friday subject to change. Proposed fencing on design planning documents is for student safety purposes only. 

For exclusive use of facilities by community organizations, MPS Policy 1600: Use of District Facilities will remain applicable. Space will also be dedicated inside the building for community partners that serve students.

E. Doesn’t the school district have empty buildings that could be used for this program?

As part of the work leading to the recommendation to build a new school on this site, the Facility Advisory Committee first outlined the specifications a new Anishinabe Academy building would require. Selection criteria were identified including proximity to the student population and American Indian organizations, as well as access to outdoor space and public transportation.  Staff then reviewed the school district’s entire portfolio of 73 buildings and identified three sites that potentially could meet all of the specifications. The former Cooper Elementary school is one site being considered. 

F. How is this related to school transformation? 

School Transformation is a districtwide initiative to improve schools and enhance student outcomes. All updates and information on this districtwide effort are provided on the MPS School Transformation webpage. MPS Board Resolution 2026-0047 recognizes that potential alternate MPS sites may arise for consideration through the Transformation process. 

G. Who is involved in this project? 

This project is being led by Minneapolis Public Schools working closely with a steering committee composed of parents, community members and community organizations. Current and former Anishinabe Academy families and American Indian families across the district have also been involved.

MPS has partnered with Cuningham Group, Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design, Urban Ecosystems Landscape Architects, H+U Construction & Indigenous Path Construction following the evaluations of proposals submitted through Request for Proposals to ensure that the design team selected matched the Project’s vision and mission statements. 

H. How have you/how will you engage the American Indian community?

Minneapolis Public Schools has sought its American Indian community’s input at every step of the process, from conception through implementation. Members of the Anishinabe Academy community have been decision makers within the Facility Committee and in selecting the design and construction teams. Since Fall of 2025, we have engaged the community by participating in American Indian community events, dedicated listening sessions led by American Indian members, surveys, and school board meetings. Engagement will continue throughout the design and construction process.

I. How have you/how will you engage with the Longfellow Community?

Minneapolis Public Schools has notified neighbors and sought the Longfellow community’s input throughout the pre-design process and will continue to engage the community throughout the design and construction phases. For a summary of past events and for upcoming engagement opportunities, please refer to the Community Engagement Opportunities tab on the webpage. Additional events will appear as they are scheduled.

J. Will this project be a renovation of the existing building or new construction?

The design team investigated opportunities, costs and challenges of renovating the existing structure versus constructing a new building. The recommendation from the Facility Committee was for a new purpose-built school because the existing building provides some limitations to fully realizing a culturally responsive experience for Anishinabe Academy students. MPS will work with salvage companies to investigate what can be reused. Relocation and reinstallation of the new playground equipment is included in the cost being presented. MPS has received the Determination of Local Eligibility Summary for the Cooper School from the City of Minneapolis which has determined that the building is not a potential historic landmark.

K.  How much will this project cost? 

The recommended option for a K-8 New Construction has a cost range of $90M - $105M. Cost estimates will continue to be refined by our design and construction consultants based on the approved design and community engagement feedback. A finalized budget and funding structure will be presented as part of Gate Check B.

L.  How will this project be paid for? 

This project will be funded as part of the school district’s capital plan, which the Board approves every year.  A finalized budget and funding structure will be presented as part of Gate Check B.

M.  Why will this project take so long?

Most projects of this nature take about 3 years to complete, depending on a number of different factors. We want to ensure that the community is engaged and informed throughout the duration of this project, which requires the timeline to allow for that engagement to unfold meaningfully. The end result will be a beautiful facility that honors the cultural traditions and legacy of our American Indian Community, allowing our students to feel affirmed and empowered, and reflects the specific reality of the site and its place in the city.

N. How is the impact of additional traffic being studied?

As part of the City’s approval process, the project requires a Major Transportation Demand Management Plan (TDMP). MPS has contracted with a third-party vendor to identify the anticipated trip generation and parking demand including new bus, student, guardian, and employee traffic, and provide recommendations on how to ensure safe & efficient operations for all users. The study will also consider strategies to reduce the environmental impact of vehicular traffic.