Robbinsdale Area Schools

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Robbinsdale Area Schools (Independent School District 281) is an award-winning district committed to academic excellence. We take pride in the choice we have provided to our families and students for nearly a century. We serve all or parts of seven communities with more than 100,000 residents in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minn.

Armstrong High School has been ranked 6th on the Minnesota section of the "Most Challenging High Schools" list, formerly published by the Washington Post, for 2018 and Cooper made the list at number 25. We are very pleased to see recognition of the excellence of these two schools. Read more about these prestigious rankings here.

#Rdale281 at a Glance

A mother and her child smile at the camera

Excellence for All

We are committed to graduating students who are college, articulated skilled trades, and career ready. 

Robbinsdale Armstrong High School is home to the Advanced Placement program, and Robbinsdale Area Schools has been named to the National AP Achievement List for increasing both the percentage of students taking AP tests and increasing the number of high scores on those tests. 

Robbinsdale Cooper High School is one of ten high schools in Minnesota offering the challenging IB program, and our district is fully-authorized with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, a challenging K-12 academic program that is recognized and practiced worldwide. Robbinsdale Middle School offered the first authorized IB Middle Years Programme in the state; more than 600 students are enrolled district-wide. Both schools are aligned with Lakeview Elementary School, a fully authorized Primary Years Programme (PYP) school in the International Baccalaureate continuum. 

Our high schools offer more than 180 courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, In addition to articulated credit agreements for skilled trades. All of our schools, offer programs for special education and gifted and talented students at all grade levels.

Robbinsdale Area Schools also offer Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programming in both of our middle schools and both of our high schools. This program accelerates student learning, uses research-based methods of effective instruction, raises expectations of students, and puts in place a system of supports that help students succeed.


Ignite your passion for fine arts

Repeatedly recognized as one the Best Communities for Music Education, we are proud of our reputation for award-winning programs in drama, music and fine arts. More than 5,000 of our students participate in choir, band and orchestra. Robbinsdale Area Schools developed discipline-based arts education that is now used nationally. District music students perform annually at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and at prestigious locations around the world. We are the first school district in the nation to receive the Medallion Award from the Children's Theatre Foundation for exceptional contributions to K-12 theatre.

Athletics and extra-curricular activities are also an important part of student life in Robbinsdale Area Schools. Our district offers a full selection of athletics for girls and boys. In addition, students may participate in more than 30 extracurricular activities and academic enrichment opportunities.

Partners with Community

Robbinsdale Area Schools offers a comprehensive community education program that serves residents from birth through retirement and includes an early childhood family center, family resource center, senior services, adult academic programs and enrichment classes. Whether it is parenting classes, enrichment programs, English classes for new immigrants or G.E.D courses, thousands of district residents are engaged in lifelong learning in Robbinsdale Area Schools.

Our Unified District Vision compels us to provide Academic Excellence for ALL Students! Come see the difference in Robbinsdale Area Schools.