Perhaps it’s the echoes of laughter from generations of students, but something about this place feels alive. This is North Community High School. Known simply as North. It is a four-year public high school in Minneapolis. North has been a vital part of the city’s northside for over 120 years.
Imagine North in 1888. Just three grades occupied the first building. By 1891, the first class had graduated. The school quickly outgrew its space. A new facility opened in 1896. Disaster struck on June 18, 1913. A fire destroyed most of North High School. But the community rebuilt it quickly. The new building was completed in 1914 on the same site. Additions followed in 1921, 1923, and 1939.
By 1963, the old building needed extensive repairs. Instead of fixing it, Minneapolis built a new school. It was funded by an $18 million bond referendum in 1964. This also improved other Minneapolis public schools. The current North opened in 1973. Some describe it as a “giant bunker” with few windows. Others see “brick boxes arranged around a courtyard”.
The North Side neighborhood has changed over the years. In the 1920s and 30s, it was the center of Minneapolis’ Jewish population. Almost half the students at North were Jewish in 1936. Today, the North Side is a diverse working-class area.
North High School once had over 2,800 students in 1931. Now students can choose which schools they attend. As a result, only about half of North Side students attend local schools like North. Enrollment fell from 1,143 in 2004-2005 to 265 in 2010. There was even a proposal to phase out North Community High School. The community rallied to keep it open. North refocused its curriculum on arts and communications. It is now called North Academy of Arts and Communications.
Since the 1970s, North has been known for its basketball programs. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have won state championships. North also operates KBEM-FM. This radio station is run partially by North students. It has been located at the school since 1985.
North offers several college preparatory classes. It also has a strong Advanced Placement program. In the fall of 2016, North opened N-STEM. This is the North Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
KBEM-FM signed on the air in October 1970. Students are responsible for much of the station’s operation. About 150 students are involved in the radio station. They typically enroll as ninth-graders. They are prepared for on-air duties by their junior or senior year. The station broadcasts traffic reports for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.
North offers many musical programs. These include band, choir, and vocal ensembles. Other activities include academic competitions and clubs. The school has a newspaper, yearbook, and student government. North’s sports teams are called the Polars. They compete in the Minneapolis City Conference.
Several notable people have graduated from North. These include The Andrews Sisters, Tom Barnard, and Floyd B. Olson. Also Sid Hartman and Robert Vaughn.
In 2023, the Showtime docuseries “Boys in Blue” followed North’s football team. It showed the challenges they faced after the murder of George Floyd.
North High School stands as a testament to resilience and community. Its long history reflects the changing face of Minneapolis. North continues to educate and inspire students. It prepares them to make their mark on the world.