Statewide initiative will make flexible, standards-aligned project-based learning more accessible to Minnesota students in grades 9-12.
MINNESOTA – August 18, 2026 – Northern Lights Community School (NLCS) and Centric Learning today announced a statewide partnership designed to make high-quality online project-based learning more accessible to Minnesota students in grades 9-12. By pairing NLCS educators’ experience with student-centered, authentic learning and Centric Learning’s online curriculum, learning platform, and project-based resources, the organizations will create flexible opportunities for high school students across Minnesota to investigate meaningful questions, apply learning across subjects, and demonstrate what they know through real-world work.
The collaboration is grounded in a shared belief: students are more likely to engage deeply when learning is relevant, challenging, and connected to a clear purpose. NLCS will contribute its school-based expertise in project design, personalized learning, advisory relationships, and student support. Centric Learning will contribute adaptable online resources for grades 9-12, project-based learning tools, a digital learning platform, and competency-based assessment practices that support feedback, revision, and mastery. Together, the partners intend to extend meaningful learning beyond the limits of geography and traditional scheduling.
Complementary vision, mission, and goals
Northern Lights Community School: NLCS’s mission is to serve Northern Minnesota students in grades 6-12 through an academically rigorous, project-based, individually focused, and environmentally engaged learning community grounded in care, acceptance, and authenticity. Its vision is for students to graduate as confident lifelong learners and engaged citizens who are prepared to pursue their own definitions of success.
Centric Learning: Centric Learning envisions a limitless future made possible through innovative education for all. Its mission centers on bringing quality, customizable project-based learning to educators and learners through technology and programs that help teachers teach and learners learn.
Shared goals: Together, the organizations aim to make rigorous online project-based learning accessible to students in grades 9-12 throughout Minnesota; personalize learning around student strengths and needs; make mastery visible through feedback and revision; help educators connect projects to clear academic standards; and prepare students for college, careers, citizenship, and lifelong learning. NLCS contributes its close-knit advisory relationships, environmental and community connections, and knowledge of learners; Centric contributes adaptable online curriculum, a digital platform, and scalable project-based and competency-based tools.
“This partnership gives our students more opportunities to see purpose in what they are learning and to apply their knowledge through meaningful work. Centric Learning’s project-based approach aligns with our commitment to helping students build confidence, independence, and skills they can carry into college, careers, and life.”
– Orlend Menze, Director, Northern Lights Community School
Teachers remain central to the work. They will guide students as they plan, create, revise, and communicate their learning, while using progress information and competency-based feedback to determine where students need more challenge, more time, or additional support. The result is intended to complement the school’s relationship-driven environment with a flexible framework that makes academic growth and student thinking easier to see.
“Northern Lights Community School shares our belief that students engage more deeply when learning is relevant, challenging, and connected to the world around them. We are excited to work alongside Orlend and the Northern Lights team to give students a learning experience that values curiosity, voice, reflection, and genuine mastery.”
– Glen Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder, Centric Learning
Expanding access across Minnesota
The statewide initiative is designed to give more Minnesota high school students access to flexible learning without sacrificing rigor, relationships, or meaningful teacher guidance. Online delivery can help schools and learners address barriers related to distance, scheduling, and local course availability, while project-based learning keeps students connected to authentic questions, community issues, and work that has a visible purpose.
NLCS and Centric Learning will collaborate on implementation planning, educator support, family communication, and ongoing review. The partners will use feedback and student progress information to refine how the online curriculum, projects, and instructional supports are used. This joint approach recognizes that statewide access depends on both quality technology and curriculum and the trusted educator relationships that help students succeed.
Minnesota students, families, schools, and community partners can learn more at www.nlcschool.org and www.centriclearning.com.
About Northern Lights Community School
Northern Lights Community School is a public charter school in Warba, Minnesota, serving students in grades 6-12. NLCS is an academically rigorous, project-based, individually focused, and environmentally engaged learning community built on care, acceptance, and authenticity. Through personalized learning plans, advisory relationships, authentic projects, portfolios, and community and environmental learning, the school helps students become confident lifelong learners and engaged citizens. Learn more at www.nlcschool.org.
About Centric Learning
Centric Learning supports schools, educators, and students with customizable online education solutions. For this Minnesota partnership, its grades 9-12 resources will combine project-based learning, competency-based assessment, adaptable curriculum, and technology designed to help teachers teach and learners learn. Centric Learning reports more than 16 years of experience, support for more than 141 districts, a catalog of more than 52 courses and 1,600 project-based learning projects, and more than 20,000 students helped. Its programs include Cognia-accredited and NCAA-approved course offerings. Learn more at www.centriclearning.com.
Media contact
Jeremy Johnson
Director of Sales & Marketing, Centric Learning
jeremy.johnson@centriclearning.net | 866-712-4286