New Charter School Emphasizing Health and Athletics Proposed in St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD - A new charter school is being proposed in south St. Cloud.

Athlos Academies is asking the city for a permit to build a 87,000 square foot single story building at 3135 County Road 136, nearby where a proposed new Tech High School would potentially be built.

The school would provide education for kindergarten through 8th grade and would emphasize athletics and health education. City documents say the school site would feature play grounds, athletic fields, basketball court and an off-street parking area for 220 vehicles.

Athlos Academy of St. Cloud would hold up to 1,200 students and would have 67 educators if the school reaches capacity. The St. Cloud zoning board of appeals will review the proposed school during their upcoming meeting on Tuesday night.

The school is hoping to open in the fall of 2016.

Charter schools are alternative learning public schools that need state approval to operate. The schools are growing in the St. Cloud area. STRIDE Academy opened in 2005 and has grown into a K-8 school and now have two buildings. Last year, The St. Cloud Math And Science Academy opened in Waite Park.