Support for high school youth is more important than ever. Post pandemic, there has been a precipitous decline in consistent school attendance. In the last two school years MPS has seen a significant increase in chronically absent youth and this percentage increases with English Language Learner youth.

South High School Attendance (EL= English Language Learner)

Youth living within the Banyan service area (see map below) are assigned to attend South High School. Per Minnesota Statutes an English Language Learner is a pupil, as declared by a parent or guardian, who uses a language other than English; and lacks the necessary English skills to participate fully in academic classes taught in English as determined by a valid assessment measuring the pupil’s English language proficiency and by developmentally appropriate measures.

Within the Banyan service area 50% of households do not use English as their primary language and 15% of the families use limited English in the home, according to the 2022 American Community Survey. Youth who are in need of English language services have a higher rate of being chronically absent from the South High School (see graph). Banyan’s ELEVATE program is a needed support system and encouragement for youth and families to reverse this trend.

ELEVATE is Banyan Community’s high school community program for any youth within our service area.

Banyan Community Model, Service Area Map

Three afternoons a week, Banyan provides an onsite study space where staff offer support via homework help, career exploration opportunities, social emotional development lessons, and post-secondary planning assistance. Following high school graduation youth have the opportunity to join the Banyan Scholars for post-secondary support. In the 2023-24 school year Banyan was able to support 15 youth and celebrated the first two graduates from the ELEVATE program.

Study Lounge is open Sept-May

Monday-Friday from 3:00pm-6:00pm

This Thursday Banyan hosted the first parent information night for the ELEVATE program. Banyan is excited to engage with more families interested in utilizing the study space and support system at Banyan Community.