Hmong International Academy is facing closure.
Minneapolis Public Schools is proposing major changes to the district as part of its School Transformation process. The district has presented three different options for changing schools, programs, and attendance boundaries across Minneapolis.
All three proposals would close Hmong International Academy.
MPS says the transformation is intended to improve the student experience, make better use of district buildings and resources, and create more consistent academic and extracurricular opportunities for students. The district says that, if approved, the changes would take effect beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
The three proposals are different in important ways. They would affect different schools, programs, attendance boundaries, and student pathways. But for HIA, the outcome is the same: each proposal would close our school.
That means this is about more than a building. HIA is a school community built around Hmong language and culture, relationships with families, and a sense of belonging. Closing HIA would mean disrupting that community and asking students and families to find a different school and educational pathway.
The MPS School Board is expected to make a decision on the transformation proposals in November 2026. MPS is currently gathering feedback from students, families, staff, and the broader community, with feedback due by October 16.
There is still an opportunity for HIA families, staff, students, alumni, and community members to make their voices heard.
Visit this site for a much deeper dive into the proposed changes. Then come back and learn how you can help!
MPS begins the School Transformation process.
The Minneapolis Board of Education adopts a resolution directing the district to begin a process focused on transforming the student experience and determining what changes may be needed across the district.
MPS gathers feedback and develops its vision for the future.
Over the next two years, MPS conducts surveys, focus groups, and other engagement with students, families, staff, and community members. According to MPS, more than 40,000 voices were represented in this process.
The School Board establishes additional direction for the transformation process.
The Board adopts a resolution defining the transformation work and outlining information it wants the district to consider as the process moves forward.
The Board directs MPS to develop three options.
The School Board approves a resolution directing the Superintendent and district staff to develop three options for changes to schools and programs for Board consideration in September.
MPS releases three proposed options.
MPS presents three different proposals for changing schools, programs, and attendance boundaries across Minneapolis.
All three proposals would mean the end of HIA in its current form. Under the proposals, HIA's community-school students would move to another school, while the Hmong Language and Culture Magnet Program would move to Jenny Lind.
Families and community members have an opportunity to respond.
MPS is gathering feedback on the three proposals through October 16. The district is also holding community meetings throughout Minneapolis, with interpreters and childcare available.
This is the window for HIA families, students, staff, alumni, and community members to make their voices heard.
The School Board is expected to take action.
The School Board will consider feedback on the proposals and determine whether to approve changes to the district's school and program structure.
If approved, the changes could take effect.
MPS says the proposed changes could be implemented beginning with the 2027–28 school year, pending Board action.
All three MPS proposals would close HIA in its current form. The question now is not whether HIA is affected, it's what happens next and whether the community can convince decision-makers to choose a different path.
MPS has developed three different options for restructuring schools across Minneapolis. The options make different changes to school boundaries, programs, and pathways.
But for Hmong International Academy, all three proposals mean major changes to our school community.
Under every option, the Hmong Language and Culture Magnet Program would move from HIA to Jenny Lind Elementary School. HIA's current community-school students would also be assigned to another school, with the specific school depending on which proposal is selected.
Here's what each proposal would mean for HIA:
HIA community-school students → Nellie Stone Johnson
Under Option 1:
HIA community-school students would join Nellie Stone Johnson in the North pathway.
The Hmong Language and Culture Magnet Program would move to Jenny Lind.
Jenny Lind and Lucy Laney would feed into Olson Middle School.
Olson would feed into Camden High School.
Attendance boundaries would change for several schools in the Camden pathway.
HIA community-school students → Cityview
Under Option 2:
HIA community-school students would join Cityview.
The Hmong Language and Culture Magnet Program would move to Jenny Lind.
Jenny Lind, Lucy Laney, and Cityview would feed into Olson Middle School.
Olson would feed into Camden High School.
The attendance boundaries for Cityview, Lucy Laney, and Jenny Lind would change.
HIA community-school students → Nellie Stone Johnson
Under Option 3:
HIA community-school students would join Nellie Stone Johnson in the North pathway.
The Hmong Language and Culture Magnet Program would move to Jenny Lind.
Jenny Lind and Lucy Laney would feed into Olson Middle School.
Olson would feed into Camden High School.
Attendance boundaries would change for several schools in the Camden pathway.
Although the three options make different changes across the district, the proposed outcome for HIA is consistent across all three:
HIA would no longer operate as it does today.
The community-school students would move to another school, and the Hmong Language and Culture Magnet Program would move to Jenny Lind.
That means the question for the HIA community is not simply which proposal we prefer. We are asking MPS to listen to our community and reconsider a plan that would break apart a school built around Hmong language, culture, relationships, and community.
MPS has released three proposed options, but none has been approved by the School Board. The district is now gathering feedback from students, families, staff, and community members before a final plan is considered.
Public feedback period
MPS is accepting feedback on the three proposals through October 16, 2026.
Community members can share their feedback through the district's online survey and at community meetings.
Community meetings
MPS is holding community meetings at its comprehensive high schools throughout Minneapolis. These meetings are an opportunity to learn more about the proposals, ask questions, and provide feedback.
MPS says interpreters and childcare will be available at the meetings.
School Board decision
The Minneapolis Board of Education is expected to consider the proposals and community feedback and decide what changes, if any, will move forward.
Potential implementation
If changes are approved, MPS says they could take effect beginning with the 2027–28 school year.
There is still time to make your voice heard.
The proposals are not final, and the School Board has not yet made its decision about HIA.
The coming weeks are an important opportunity for HIA students, families, staff, alumni, and community members to make sure decision-makers understand what HIA means to our community.