Taxpayer-funded Minnesota charter school moves to remote learning amid reported ICE activity, community group urges noncitizens to stay home
Sejong Academy, a taxpayer-funded Korean immersion charter school in St. Paul, Minnesota, temporarily shifted to online learning on January 14–15, 2026, citing safety concerns as community groups urged noncitizens to stay home amid reported ICE activity.
Key takeaways
- Sejong Academy moved to remote instruction Jan. 14–15 to prioritize the safety and well-being of its community; the school’s notice is posted on its site: Sejong Academy notice.
- Urban Village advised noncitizens and those without green cards to stay home amid reported enforcement activity; the guidance was shared via video and social posts and reported by local media: Fox News Digital reporting and WCCS Radio reporting.
- No public reporting reviewed provides direct confirmation that an ICE operation caused the school’s schedule change; available coverage shows school and community notices were the primary sources.
Sejong Academy announcement and timeline
Sejong Academy, a tuition-free public charter in St. Paul, posted a brief notice stating it would “proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15)” and thanked families for their “support and cooperation as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community.” The school held remote classes on Wednesday and Thursday; Friday was a pre-scheduled staff professional development day. See the Sejong Academy notice for the original posting.
“Proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15)… thank you for your support and cooperation as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community.” — Sejong Academy notice
ICE link and media verification
The school’s online notice did not name immigration enforcement, ICE raids, or any outside group as the reason for the schedule change. Reporters contacted Sejong Academy and community organizations; available coverage did not show a public school statement tying the closure directly to a confirmed ICE operation. See reporting from Fox News Digital and WCCS Radio for the media accounts cited in this article.
Urban Village guidance and community fear
Urban Village, a Minneapolis–St. Paul–area community group, released a video and Instagram posts advising people described as noncitizens or those without green cards to stay home, avoid driving and limit contact because of reported immigration-enforcement activity. Local reporting noted heightened fear and disruption in the area’s Myanmar community, with parents missing work, skipped medical appointments and children absent from school and activities. The organization’s public guidance did not include details tying the advisory to any confirmed ICE operation.
School background, funding and programs
Sejong Academy offers Korean immersion programs from Pre-K through elementary grades and follows Minnesota state standards. The school emphasizes cultural programming such as Taekwondo and Samulnori. Sejong’s Pre-K is fee-based while K–grade classes are tuition-free; the school advertises free meals and financial assistance for qualifying families. See the school’s K-immersion page and the enrollment form.
Local reporting referenced IRS filings and public records indicating Sejong has received government grants over time, with one outlet citing more than $7 million in government grants to the school in its coverage.
Operations and governance
Public calendar and governance documents show Sejong follows a typical school-year calendar and holds regular board meetings that allow public comment. The school’s enrollment period for 2026–2027 opened Nov. 10, 2025 and closed Jan. 12, 2026, with an enrollment lottery if necessary. See governance and calendar pages: resources and calendar and governance & board meetings.
Reporting, requests for comment and verification
Media reports show Fox News Digital and local outlets contacted Sejong Academy and Urban Village for comment; available coverage shows no public responses to those media requests at the time of reporting. The public notices from both the school and Urban Village were the primary sources cited by reporters.
St. Paul ICE raids — what’s confirmed and what’s not
References to “St. Paul ICE raids” circulated in local reporting and social posts, but at the time of coverage there was no publicly available ICE press release confirming a coordinated raid tied to Sejong Academy’s closure. Local advisories and community statements reflect concern and precautionary steps taken amid reports and rumors; journalists took a cautious approach to attribution.
Why this matters: safety, schooling and public funds
The temporary shift to remote learning raises issues for regulators, parents and taxpayers. As a taxpayer-funded charter school, Sejong’s decision affects parents’ work schedules, student learning time and the school’s duty to provide instruction according to state requirements. Reported fear in immigrant communities that leads families to avoid public spaces can disrupt local schools and services beyond a single neighborhood.
Implications for Utah
Economic impact: Utah taxpayers and families may watch how public funds are used and ask for transparent communication about safety decisions and emergency closures.
Political consequences: For some Utah audiences, the episode may raise questions about immigration enforcement, public-safety coordination and the role of community organizations in advising residents.
Social effects: Fear in immigrant communities can ripple through schools and workplaces; Utah leaders may need proactive outreach to keep children in school.
Practical applications: School leaders should review emergency communication plans, parents and employers should plan for short-notice closures, and community groups should coordinate with schools and officials to reduce panic while preserving safety.
Sources and further reading
- Sejong Academy official website and notice
- Fox News Digital reporting on the school’s shift and community advisories
- WCCS Radio local reporting and background on funding and community reaction
- Sejong Academy K-immersion page • enrollment form • resources & calendar • governance & board meetings
For inquiries
Sejong Academy contact information is listed on its site: 651-301-8722 or info@sejongacademy.org (see the enrollment form / contact page).
