PhotoWe work together with families and member district staff to determine the best learning environment for every child that enrolls to 287.

Intermediate District 287 serves students in grades K-12, as well as transition age students (18-21 years old), who live in our 12 member school districts located in the West Metro area. Our schools serve students who learn in Federal Setting IV Special Education environments. Referrals are accepted only from our 12 member school districts for our special education programs.

Who We Serve

We are experts at serving the unique needs of students with disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), blind or vision impaired, Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD), speech or language impairments, traumatic brain injuries and/or other related conditions.

Innovative Programs

We believe that all students can learn and grow. Students experience an innovative school program where they:

  • Focus on building strong relationships with peers, adults and the community as a whole
  • Experience customized learning with small class sizes and hands-on experiences
  • Experience a warm, safe, and fun learning environment that models a “traditional” school
  • Enjoy a calm learning environment with sensory rooms and unique learning spaces
  • Learn tools for effective social-emotional skills, self-regulation, and self-advocacy
  • Are treated with respect, compassion, and dignity by school staff

Helping Students Grow

Students experience intensive services that support their academic, behavior, and personal growth.

Students strengthen and develop important skills related to their bodies, minds, school and social experiences. Students practice skills related to social, emotional, sensory, communication and behavioral development.

Our specialized schools are known for:

  • Expert classroom and educational staff who are experts in special education, mental health, and trauma
  • Specialized support staff such as counselors, mental health staff, nurses, social workers, and psychologists
  • Strong values of restorative justice, positive behavior supports, AVID and racial equity
  • Helping students emotionally regulate so they can access learning

Program Selection

Our district and schools have a continuum of programs that support students with varying needs. Our goal is always to help students build the skills needed to return to their home district.

We look at all kinds of factors when determining the best placement for a student. We work with the family, home school district, and Individual Education Plan team to create a customized school program for each student. We strive to create classrooms of similarly-aged students that offer varying levels of support.

We value equity and ensure that students are not placed in programs based on race or disability, but rather based on the unique needs of each student.

Elementary Programs

PhotoOur elementary programs serve students in grades K-5. Students benefit from small class sizes and customized learning in a well-supported classroom.

Just like any other school, our elementary programs have activities such as circle time, play time, physical education, and recess. Students work on emotional regulation to better access learning and focus on traditional academics like literacy and math.

Program Locations

  • North Education Center – 5530 Zealand Ave N, New Hope MN 55428
  • South Education Center – 7450 Penn Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
Middle School Programs

Photo of studentOur middle school programs serve students in grades 6-8. Like other middle school experiences, students have the opportunity to rotate through classes to gain core content areas like reading, math, science, and social studies. They also have access to self-contained classrooms. They gain the academic and emotional skills to prepare them for returning to middle school in their home school district. Students work on identifying their emotions, self-regulating, and responsible decision-making skills to prepare them for middle and high school. Our middle school programs have small class sizes and customized learning in a well-supported classroom.

Program Locations

  • North Education Center – 5530 Zealand Ave N, New Hope MN 55428
  • South Education Center – 7450 Penn Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
High School Programs

Our high school programs serve students in grades 9-12. Students have a multi-period school day that models the schedule of a traditional high school.

We focus on what matters most: positive relationships and academics that ensure students get on track to earning their diploma. Individual attention, project-based learning, and career exploration help ensure students earn the credits they need and gain real-world skills.

Program highlights:

  • Project-based learning: students engage in large-scale group projects to master key academic concepts and engage in hands-on learning
  • Makerspace: creative educational and learning spaces
  • AVID: strengthening college-readiness skills
  • Dual-licensed teachers support credit-driven diplomas

PhotoNotes: Offer credit driven core content areas, offer performance-based mastery in order to earn a diploma, focus on preparing for career and college prep.

Program Locations

  • Ann Bremer Education Center – 6601 Xylon Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
  • North Education Center – 5530 Zealand Ave N, New Hope MN 55428
  • South Education Center – 7450 Penn Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
  • West Education Center – 11140 Bren Rd W, Minnetonka, MN 55343
Transition Programs (Ages 18-21)

Intermediate District 287 offers Transition Programs for young adults ages 18-21 to help them meet their maximum potential. Our programs support students who have attended a high school special education program and wish to go on to obtain an Individual Education Plan driven-diploma or to advance their skills in education and training, employment, and independent living.

We empower students to thrive in school, college, career, and life!

Students in our programs:

  • Gain educational, training, and college experiences
  • Explore careers
  • Gain skills to live independently
  • Gain personal and relationships skills, such as independence, self-advocacy, and determination

What makes us unique?

  • Individualized and holistic student-centered planning (short and long-term)
  • Community partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and county social workers to create post-school plans
  • Mental health, behavior and social/emotional supports
  • Higher staff to student ratios

Education and Training: Students focus on building functional academics and college and career readiness. From pre-requisites to on-campus experiences, we have a continuum of programs to meet student needs.

  • Pre-requisite and college prep classes
  • College experiences and PSEO with on-site support options
  • Pathways classes (vocational classes on a college campus)
  • Elective classes: hands-on learning experiences that build pre-requisite skills that prepare students for college, ex: Culinary Arts, Construction, and IT
  • Academic rigor focused on literacy and math

Employment: Students explore careers and gain job experience on campus and/or in the community. We offer both supported and independent experiences, including paid employment opportunities.

  • Career exploration and employability skills
  • PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System) curriculum
  • VET (Vocational Evaluation Training)
  • Work coordinator and job coaches/support options
  • Resume writing and interview skills
  • Customized Employment options

Independent Living: Students focus on independence and self-advocacy to live a full life.

  • Home and daily living skills (nutrition and health, self-care, and housing
  • Personal finance, basic and advanced money math
  • Community participation and citizenship – access to metro mobility, public transit, & drivers ed, etc.
  • Recreation and leisure

We support both credit-driven and IEP-driven diplomas. We strive to ensure students are connected to their community and other supports when they move beyond 287's Transition programs.

Program Locations

  • Ann Bremer Education Center – 6601 Xylon Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
  • Hennepin Technical College – 13100 College View Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
  • South Education Center – 7450 Penn Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
  • West Education Center – 11140 Bren Rd W, Minnetonka, MN 55343
General Resources