What if school was a place that really understood you and inspired you every day? At Harbor City International School (HCIS), we’re a small (250 students in grades 7–12) tuition-free public charter where who you are matters. Think award-winning teaching, real connections, and creative energy that makes school feel like home. Sound like a fit? Keep reading.
Learning That Breaks the Mold
At HCIS, you won’t just sit through lectures - you’ll live what you learn. Three times a year, regular classes pause for Symposium Weeks, where you can spend a week cooking for the community, restoring trails, building with Habitat for Humanity, or creating an environmental action plan. Want college credit before graduation? Choose from AP, CITS, or PSEO courses in everything from Calculus to Music History.
Arts, Action, and Real Impact
Love the stage? HCIS theater puts on annual plays and musicals where you can act, design sets, or run the tech booth. Into music? Join Jazz Band, Varsity String Band, Appalachian String Band, or Choir - our students perform everywhere from school concerts to Duluth community events. Sign up for CITS Music History and Listening through our partnership with Lake Superior College and you’ll prep for state competitions, where HCIS regularly places in the top two finalists.
Outside of the arts, you’ll find student-driven clubs, service projects, and leadership opportunities like the Youth Climate Justice Summit. HCIS earned the 2025 Minnesota Charter School Innovation Award for our bold, hands-on learning - including Service Learning Symposiums where students logged over 2,125 hours of real-world action helping restore the Superior Hiking Trail, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, serving meals for Loaves and Fishes, and more.
Small School, Big Belonging
With about 250 students, everyone knows your name - and your goals. HCIS is ranked #1 in Minnesota for best public high school teachers - that’s out of 453 schools - so you know you'll have instructors who go beyond “just teaching” and aim to inspire. You’ll learn in small classes and daily advisory groups, supported to grow academically, socially, and personally. Whether you’re downtown exploring Duluth, performing at a local festival, or tackling a group project, you’ll be part of a school community that values what makes you different.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Visit harborcityschool.org to learn more and set up a school tour today!
About Harbor City International School
Harbor City International School is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 7-12 in the Duluth, Minnesota area. Our highly ranked academic curriculum is augmented by robust arts and inspiring experiential symposiums, all in a warm and welcoming small school environment. Join the next generation of global citizens at Harbor City International School today! Enrolling now.
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