Best Special Needs Schools in North St Paul, Minnesota (2026)

Our Achieving Independence & Maturity (AIM) Program in North St. Paul is the transition program of Lionsgate Academy, a public charter school whose mission centers on educating autistic learners. AIM opened in 2012 when Lionsgate families asked for options after high school, and it serves students ages 18 to 22 with continuing needs in employment, post-secondary education and daily living. Students need not come from a Lionsgate high school; applicants enter a lottery, and transportation is provided. Work readiness classes cover resumes, mock interviews, career inventories, worksite tours and the workplace soft skills that can be hard for autistic and neurodiverse young adults. Students also gain off-site work experience, occasionally paid, plus on-site jobs that have included retail, culinary, car repair and pet care tasks. Independent living lessons cover cooking, budgeting, hygiene, transit, recreation and self-advocacy. In our weekly Lunch Management class, students plan meals on a budget, shop at Twin Cities grocery stores and cook their own daily lunch. Lionsgate offers speech therapy, occupational therapy and adaptive physical education on site based on evaluated need. Students receive their diploma after meeting IEP transition goals or at age 22.

• Public charter transition program (ages 18-22)
• Autism
• Neurodiverse learners
• Transition support