What Happened to Our School? — The Rise and Fall of Cedar Riverside Community School

When a school closes, it doesn’t just disappear from a building. It disappears from lives. For many students, Cedar Riverside Community School (CRCS) was more than just a place to learn. It was where they made friends, shared dreams, grew confident, and connected with their community. But in 2021, the school shut its doors for good. What happened?

This is the story of CRCS — how it started with hope, and what caused it to shut down nearly three decades later. Whether you went there, knew someone who did, or are just curious about why schools sometimes close, this is a story worth reading. And if you’re working on a school paper about education or community change, consider using an essay writing service to help you get started.

A School Built on Community Dreams

Cedar Riverside Community School opened in 1993, right in the heart of Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. As one of the first charter schools in Minnesota, it had a special mission: to serve a diverse, multicultural community, especially children from East African immigrant families who called Riverside Plaza home.

Students could learn in smaller classrooms. Teachers had more freedom to be creative. Parents felt welcomed and involved. CRCS was never just about test scores — it was about community, culture, and growth.

For a long time, it worked.

CRCS gained attention for its family atmosphere and dedication to student success. In fact, in 2010, the school had better math scores than many other schools serving low-income students.

But as the years went by, things began to change.

Trouble Starts: What Went Wrong?

No school is perfect, but CRCS started running into problems it couldn’t fix. Here’s what went wrong:

1. Leadership Changes That Shook Everything

In 2018, a new executive director took over the school. Soon after, several longtime teachers had their contracts ended. Families were confused. Why were these trusted teachers leaving?

The way it was handled created tension. Some students suddenly had to adjust to unfamiliar teachers. Some parents felt their voices were ignored. When leadership doesn’t listen to the community, trust breaks down fast.

2. Falling Test Scores and Academics

Remember how the school once outperformed others in math? By 2018, only 21% of students were proficient in the subject. Reading scores were also slipping. The staff turnover and shifting priorities affected classroom learning. Students were trying, but the support system was changing too fast.

3. Teachers Kept Leaving

Students thrive when they have consistent, caring adults in their lives. But after the leadership shift, many teachers left. Some said they didn’t agree with the new direction of the school. Others simply felt burned out.

When your teacher disappears in the middle of the year, it’s confusing. When it keeps happening, it’s hard to focus.

4. Families Lost Faith

Enrollment dropped fast. In just three years, CRCS lost nearly 40% of its students. Parents were making tough choices. They wanted stability, clear communication, and results. Many decided to transfer their kids to other schools.

5. The Authorizer Stepped In

Charter schools like CRCS have “authorizers” — organizations that check whether schools are meeting their goals. CRCS’s authorizer, Pillsbury United Communities, had tried for years to help the school get back on track.

But by 2021, they said enough was enough. Academic goals weren’t being met. The school wasn’t being transparent. And so, they ended CRCS’s charter. The school had to close.

What We Can Learn as Students

CRCS closed, but its story teaches us a lot:

• Your voice matters.When students and parents spoke up, it showed how much they cared. Schools should always listen to their community.
• Leadership makes a difference.The decisions leaders make can shape your entire experience. Good leaders bring people together; poor leadership can cause division.
• Consistency counts.Changing teachers and policies too often hurts learning. Stability gives students the confidence to grow.
• We all have power.Students are not just passengers — you’re part of what makes a school great. Being involved, asking questions, and paying attention matters.

So… What Happens Now?

Since the closure, former CRCS students have moved on to new schools. Some are thriving, others are still adjusting. The building that once held CRCS is quieter now, but its spirit lives on in every student who learned there.

Maybe you were one of them. Maybe you had a favorite teacher there. Or maybe you remember the hallway noise, the field trips, or the cafeteria smells. Those memories still matter.

CRCS might be gone, but the lessons it taught — and the lessons we learn from its fall — will stay with us.

Because every student, every teacher, every voice, and every story matters.

And sometimes, even when a school disappears, its impact does not.