2010-2011 Annual Fund

The Minnesota Independent School Forum (MISF) has served independent high schools since 1976. MISF helps inform lawmakers, policy makers, and the general public about the contributions that independent education makes to our state and society.

Our member schools educate a diverse population of more than 13,000 students from many different ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Approximately 13% of the students in 31 MISF high schools are students of color, and 29.8% qualify for need-based tuition assistance. Additionally, MISF member schools boast a combined graduation rate of 99%, and 95%of these graduates continue on to postsecondary education. Statistics show that the 99% graduation rate in private schools decreases to 70% if these students leave to go to public schools. Even worse, if the student is a student of color, the percentage drops to 40%. MISF and its member schools are committed to giving students from various economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds the opportunity to attend an independent school by means of need-based scholarships and supportive school communities. This, in turn, increases their level of academic achievement as well as the probability of them becoming strong workforce leaders and responsible citizens.

In order to transform into a high-functioning membership organization and maintain needed services, MISF initiated a six-month strategic planning study which confirmed that its membership model needed to change in order to more effectively serve the state’s private and independent school community. The future focus of MISF will be the implementation of a K-12 membership model with an altered dues structure consisting of an affordable per-child/student fee. This strategic move will expand MISF’s membership potential and strengthen its mission to provide the 500 Minnesota independent schools with the tools the students need to be successful in grade school, high school, college and in their future careers.

Under the current model of serving high schools only, the membership potential has been limited to those schools serving grades 9-12 (roughly 57 schools); whereas, expanding to include K-8 schools, increases this potential to slightly more than 500 schools. Over the next three years, MISF will utilize its own reserves along with outside funding to shift its focus and structural arrangement in order to drive the long-term healthy existence of the entire universe of K-12 independent schools in the state of Minnesota. The ultimate goal is to protect, enhance and advance these schools so they will be an ongoing viable and solid option for parents and children. MISF is a unique and collective voice for independent elementary and secondary education in Minnesota; consequently, it is well positioned to accomplish this goal.