HEARTLAND LAKES COMMUNITY SCHOOL
A free, public charter school in the Heartland Lakes area
of Park Rapids, Minnesota​.
Now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year for K-7th.
A Few Quick Facts:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & WAYS TO STAY IN TOUCH
Our enrollment period for the 2025-26 year will begin on the first Monday in December and end on the third Friday in January of the following calendar year.
Our Mission
Empowering Young Scholars
Heartland Lakes Community School exists to empower scholars to bravely live their truth, to become wise stewards of the land and resources and to ignite lasting curiosity that leads to positive change in their school, their communities, their world and themselves.
Our Purpose
An Expeditionary Learning School
An emphasis on outdoor learning by using the environment with which we live and learn by utilizing both structured and unstructured outdoor learning spaces; we are an expeditionary learning school where students work together on a specific project throughout the school year to achieve a common goal; HLCS is a community school with smaller class sizes which will lead to more individualized attention and care.
Our Guiding Philosophy
The Whole Child
To develop and meet the needs of the whole child. Providing hands on learning experiences fostering curiosity and allowing students to discover their abilities, values, passions. All members in the school community will strive to take responsibility in their learning, collaborate and build mutual trust so all individuals feel safe and confident to take responsible risks. Our school intentionally fosters a space of inclusivity for all members.
THE FUTURE OF HEARTLAND LAKES COMMUNITY SCHOOL
A COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Using the Community Schools Model, HLCS is a learning community that prioritizes community partnerships, relationships with students and families, environmental stewardship, and service to the community around us.
We use the latest research in trauma-focused practices, restorative discipline, and Collaborative Leadership to create an enriching learning community.