ROSEVILLE — The Minnesota Department of Education today announced the approval of 11 new charter schools, including one in the Shakopee area.

Aspen Academy, sponsored by Friends of Ascension, will be located in the Savage/Shakopee area and serve grades K-8. Aspen Academy will utilize the Core Knowledge Sequence through a curriculum focused on early literacy and foreign language instruction.

With the additions, there are now 158 charter schools approved to operate in the state.

"As the birthplace of the charter school movement, Minnesota has a long tradition of providing families with public school choice," said state Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. "We are proud to welcome these 11 schools, representing 11 new educational options for Minnesota parents and students.”

Charter schools are independent public schools of choice for Minnesota families. Charter schools employ licensed teachers, offer services to special-needs students and require students to take state and national tests to assure academic accountability.

Applications were evaluated against federal and state selection criteria designed to promote the development of high-quality charter schools. An extensive review process involving internal and external peer reviewers was used to evaluate applications, said state officials.

The newly approved schools can begin serving students as early as the 2008-09 school year.

The first charter school in the nation opened in Minnesota in 1992. Approximately 26,000 students are currently enrolled in Minnesota charter schools.