Welcome to Birch Grove
Welcome! We are Birch Grove Community School, a tuition-free, public charter school serving students from our Saplings program through fifth grade. Located near the north shore of Lake Superior in the charming town of Tofte, Minnesota, we offer low student-teacher ratios and top-quality programs in an atmosphere of encouragement and caring. The curriculum we follow gives our students a strong academic foothold for a future of success and growth.
We encourage you to browse our website and get to know us a little better. Whether you’re a parent of a student already enrolled or you’re considering Birch Grove as an educational choice for your family, we’re confident you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
High Quality Charter School
Birch Grove Community School (BGCS) received "High Quality Charter School" status from the Minnesota Department of Education in 2024! Only 17 of Minnesota's 181 public charter schools met or exceeded the High Quality Charter School criteria. BGCS received this distinction along with an invitation to apply for funding to significantly expand or replicate Birch Grove Community School. BGCS has received High Quality Charter School status three times.
Mission Statement
Birch Grove Community School will promote academic excellence by utilizing our unique natural setting to prepare students to become socially and environmentally responsible, self-directed, life-long learners.
A Message from Our Director
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein
What a great year we’ve been having! Every day, I look into the eyes of our students and staff, then into the beauty that surrounds us, and I feel blessed to be here!
I marvel at the dedication of our staff. They truly are a team, working together for the benefit of our school, our community, and most especially, our students.
At Birch Grove, we focus on the basics. Reading, writing, and math are the core of our active classrooms; we continue daily learning and experiencing through a literal “down-to-earth” approach outside in our exquisite natural surroundings.
We enjoy working and playing together, learning through both avenues. Please learn more about our programs and our activities in the great outdoors. We’d love to have you join us!
Sincerely,
Diane Blanchette
Diane Blanchette
Birch Grove Community School, Director
