GRADES 9–12 • PREPARE FOR INDEPENDENCE
High school should prepare students to operate independently.
The Minnesota Learning Project combines rigorous academics with adult competencies every graduate will use regardless of career, college, trade, or entrepreneurial path.
Explore the grades
Each grade progressively moves students from advanced academic reasoning toward financial, civic, technical, and household independence.
GRADE 9
Foundations of Adult Thinking
Complex reading, professional writing, algebra, physical science, formal logic, source reliability, probability, rhetoric, and digital information.
GRADE 10
Civilization, Biology & Making
World civilization, biology, sustained writing, advanced mathematics, engineering or technical projects, and substantial hands-on making.
GRADE 11
Economic Independence
Payroll, taxes, banking, credit, investing, retirement, statistics and risk, public institutions, budgets, and career exploration.
GRADE 12
Independent Adult Life
Housing, insurance, vehicles, healthcare, employment, household management, first aid, contracts, business, and local government.
Proposed 24-credit framework
| Literacy & Communication | 4 | Science & Engineering | 3 |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 4 | History, Geography & Civic Mechanics | 2 |
| Logic, Research & Information | 1 | Personal Economics & Independent Living | 2 |
| Technology, Trades & Career Preparation | 2 | Health & Nutrition | 1 |
| Physical Education | 1 | Arts | 1 |
| Advanced Pathway / Electives | 3 | Total | 24 |
Advanced pathways
Students can specialize in Engineering & Technology, Medical & Life Sciences, Skilled Trades, Business & Entrepreneurship, Humanities, or Arts. The common foundation should enable specialization, not suppress it.
The culminating test
Every pathway culminates alongside the Run Your Life graduation standard, which tests whether students can integrate academic knowledge with realistic adult decisions.
The Minnesota Learning Project 