Schools

New Charter School Opens in Former TiZA Building

The Science, Technology and Engineering Preparatory (STEP) Academy welcomed students at the former site of Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy in Inver Grove Heights.

A new charter school has moved in at the former location of Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy in Inver Grove Heights.

The Science, Technology and Engineering Preparatory (STEP) Academy opened its doors this week, according to school official Walter Novillo, who answered the door to the school on Tuesday.

According to the STEP Academy website, the school plans to collaborate with state colleges and universities and will include sixth- through 12th-grade students. The school will focus on college preparation, according to the website, and students will earn as many as 30 college credits by the time they graduate from STEP.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Students will explore science, technology, and engineering as well as other coursework as vehicles for college success and eventual employment in scientific, technical and related fields," a statement on the website said. "Through innovative teaching and participation in a wide variety of enrichment, apprenticeship, mentorship and college programs, they will readily and easily translate what they learn to real world environments to fully pursue post-graduate educational opportunities."

The charter school's website lists Anoka Technical College as its authorizer. Although the school opened on Sept. 6, the STEP board has been meeting since at least June, 2010 at locations across Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to the website.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

TiZA, which closed earlier this summer, was a lightning rod for controversy. The American Civil Liberties Union sued the school in 2009 for allegedly violating the separation of church and state.

Before that case could go to trial, the school fell victim to a new state law that requires all Minnesota charter schools to have an in-state authorizer. TiZA's previous authorizer, Islamic Relief USA, is based in Virginia. The Minnesota Department of Education denied several applications from would-be authorizer Novation Education Opportunities to take over supervision of the school.

At the end of June, a federal judge also denied a request by TiZA for a temporary restraining order that would keep the school open until a new authorizer could be found.

Novillo, who identified himself as the school's director, wasn't immediately available for an interview, but said Tuesday afternoon that STEP Academy has no affiliation to the now-defunct Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy.

Check back at Patch for more updates on this developing story.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Inver Grove Heights