Great River School
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
Montessori
IB DiplomaAccreditations
Great River School is a Montessori-based charter school serving students through an integrated academic and social curriculum. It prepares students for their roles as global citizens by combining Montessori principles with the International Baccalaureate diploma programme.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
Great River School is a Montessori learning community that integrates academic and social experiences to prepare students as responsible, engaged global citizens. The school’s pedagogy is informed by the Montessori philosophy and the International Baccalaureate programme, emphasizing critical thinking, social justice, and peaceful action. It fosters an environment of civility and trust, encouraging students to address systemic oppression through open dialogue and community participation.
Programmes
The academic programme is divided into Elementary (ages 6–12) and Adolescent (grades 7–12) levels. Elementary is split into Lower (ages 6–9) and Upper (ages 9–12) groupings, utilizing multi-age classrooms and uninterrupted work periods. The Adolescent programme incorporates the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, focusing on rigorous coursework, independent research, and analytical reasoning.
Outcomes
The school supports college readiness through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and provides comprehensive college counseling. Students have access to Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), allowing them to earn college credit while in high school. The school also provides resources for career exploration, apprenticeship programs, and gap year planning to prepare students for life after graduation.
Student support
Learning support
The school maintains a dedicated Special Education department and provides various intervention services, including reading and math support, behavior intervention, and social work. Staff include speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and interventionists who work to provide targeted instruction. The school also coordinates equity, inclusion, and wellness programs to support the diverse needs of the student body.
Frequently asked questions(4)
- What curriculum does Great River School offer?
- Great River School offers Montessori and IB Diploma.
- What accreditations does Great River School hold?
- Great River School holds accreditations including IB.
- Is Great River School co-educational?
- Great River School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Great River School located?
- Great River School is an international school in Minneapolis, United States.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
Great River School is a charter school that utilizes a lottery system for enrollment. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are due by February 6, 2026, with the lottery scheduled for February 13, 2026. Prospective families may visit the school during open houses or via virtual tours, and adolescent students may have the opportunity to shadow in the program.
Calendar
The school operates on a standard academic schedule with student hours from 9:00 am to 3:50 pm. The school year includes various assessment windows, including the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), ACCESS testing for English learners, and the ACT for juniors. Additionally, the school administers Fastbridge screenings for reading and math, and beginning in 2026, the Capti ReadBasix screener for grades 4-12.
About the campus
Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the campus features classrooms designed for the Montessori model, which prioritize freedom of movement and access to specialized learning materials. Rather than individual desks, the environment includes tables and work areas, with shelves stocked with materials for geography, history, language, mathematics, geometry, biology, music, and art. The facility also includes a nutrition center where staff provide meals and culinary instruction.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including performing arts and summer camp programs. Students participate in key experiences such as travel, outdoor education, and micro-economic ventures designed to build practical skills and responsibility. The school also hosts the Big Canoe Club, which provides extended-day care before and after school.
- Jeremy PerrinExecutive Director
Jeremy Perrin joins us as Executive Director after leading Discovery School in Honduras and previously serving at ISLA, a Spanish immersion IB school in Edina. He brings extensive experience in international education, school governance, and the IB program, with a strong record of guiding mission-driven schools to achieve their vision for students and the broader community.
Stacey KregerDirector of AdministrationStacey Kreger is the Director of Administration and has been part of the school community for 11 years. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from UConn. Outside of work, Stacey sings in a community choir (The Northern Lights Chorale) and loves spending time with her golden retriever, Hermione, who also serves as a therapy dog at the school.
Matt McElrathDirector of Student ServicesMatt joined Great River School in 2012. He has a B.S. in Business Administration, a B.A. in History and French, a Masters in Education, a K-12 Principal’s license and nearly two decades experience teaching IB, AP and Montessori classes, while also serving as the college counselor, Dean of Students, and athletics coach for several teams.
Lindsey HartjesAssistant SpEd DirectorLindsey Hartjes is the Assistant SpEd Director and has been with GRS since 2018. Lindsey previously worked as a special education teacher at Cedar Mountain High School in Morgan, MN. She received a BA in Elementary Education from St. Olaf College and a MS degree in Special Education from Southwest Minnesota State University.
Brad WildmanSpEd Systems ManagerBrad Wildman, with over 20 years of experience in education, serves as Special Education Systems Manager at GRS. Since 2009, he’s held various roles, including SpEd Guide and Coordinator, and contributed to operational procedures and state compliance. A dedicated advocate for inclusive learning, Brad also has 25+ years of collegiate soccer coaching experience and enjoys archaeology, reading, and exploring new ideas in his free time.
Eileen McElrathElementary Program DirectorEileen joined GRS as Elementary Program Director in 2024 after over a decade as a literacy consultant and parent. She holds a Master’s in Education, certifications in Literacy and Gifted Education, and an AMI Administrators Certificate. Eileen has taught both locally and internationally at the elementary and adolescent levels.
Randi McClureAdolescent Operational Program DirectorRandi McClure joined GRS in 2008 and became Adolescent Operations Program Director in 2025. She led key experiences like the bike trip, Farm Trip, and Odyssey, directed plays, and contributed to the school’s strategic plan. With a Master’s of Teaching from Clark University, she previously worked at Whitechapel Art Gallery in London.