Aerospace, Children’s Engineering and Science

University Avenue Aerospace, Children’s Engineering and Science (ACES) is a K-5 /magnet school in the Anoka-Hennepin District. At University Avenue, we value leadership, relationships and engagement. Having a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) focus and specializing in aerospace, the school approaches student learning uniquely by utilizing its aerospace and leadership theme to better engage and excite its nearly 600 highly diverse learners.

University Avenue ACES follows the rigorous Anoka-Hennepin district curriculum but has woven the specialty focus throughout core curriculum areas, as well as through special added-value events and partnerships including, but not limited to, working with such groups as the Jackson Middle School Observatory (JMO), STARBASE Minnesota, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These experiences and partnerships work to narrow the opportunity gap that exists among our economically diverse student population, while also engaging all of our students in hands-on, real-world, problem and project-based collaborative learning.

Students learn about aerospace, engineering and science in and outside of school. Field experiences are designed as hands-on learning experiences that increase background knowledge and enrich the learning happening at school as well as connect to our families and community.

University Avenue ACES has been recognized multiple years by the Magnet Schools of America, a national organization, as a Magnet School of Excellence. This is the top merit award category and is only awarded to a select group of specialty/magnet schools in the country. The Metropolitan Airport Commission recognized University Avenue ACES for their promotion and support of the Anoka-County Airport. Multiple articles have been written about the school in both district and local newspapers, as well as in the Minnesota Flyer Magazine.