River’s Edge Academy began in the minds and hearts of two educators back in 2005. Ken Hanson, an administrator and Dawn Clawson, a biology teacher, working together in a large St. Paul high school, came together around a vision for doing things differently. The driving force behind the vision was to reduce the drop-out rate, increase the graduation rate of Minnesota’s urban youth and reduce the achievement gap between white and non-white students. They envisioned using the natural environment, specifically the Mississippi River system, to engage students in work that was hands-on, standards-based and college preparatory. The founders believed that having the students actively involved in relevant fieldwork and community service would increase their academic performance, and in a small community-oriented setting the students would feel valued for their individual talents, skills and dreams. Mr. Hanson and Ms. Clawson knew that there were many school reform models available. After extensive research they found a match in the philosophies and guiding principles of Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound. With this as the educational foundation, other like-minded educators formed the founding group for River’s Edge Academy.