Anoka-Hennepin School District Approves Hybrid Model For Fall

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — One of the largest school districts in Minnesota has decided to use the hybrid learning model for this fall for most students. The board for the Anoka-Hennepin district approved its back-to-school plan Monday.

Located in the northwest metro, Anoka-Hennepin serves approximately 38,000 students and about 248,000 residents. District officials said its decision was based on guidance from Gov. Tim Walz's "Minnesota Safe Learning Plan," which encourages schools to consider county-wide coronavirus cases.

Elementary students will start the year on Sept. 15 with the hybrid learning model.

Middle and high school students will use distance learning for the first two weeks before moving to the hybrid model Sept. 28.

More than half of American K-12 public school students won't be going back to the classroom so far this school year because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an ongoing survey that looks at thousands of school calendars nationwide.

Districts across the nation have been debating whether to open schools and, if so, how. And parents have been agonizing over whether to send their kids if and when schools do open.

Most school districts in the Twin Cities metro have announced their "education model" decision for this fall. Most have chosen the hybrid model.