PYC Arts & Technology High School

Empowering Potential. Transforming Futures.

PYC Arts & Technology High School is a contract alternative school that partners with Minneapolis Public Schools to deliver a positive, relevant, and rigorous education designed to inspire young people and bridge educational gaps. By employing talented, mission-driven educators, the school provides students with a solid, supportive path toward graduation.

We are now enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year!
Ready to join the PYC community? Grades 11 – 12, we have space for you! Start the enrollment process today by emailing our Office Specialist, Teria Holmes, tholmes@pcyc-mpls.org.

Providing students with everything they need to succeed.

Jaydah Holliday and Tion Brooks introduce you to PYC Arts & Technology High School. Welcome – and enjoy!

Nate Christen

English Teacher

We’re doing good work here.

In conversation with Nate Christen, who’s taught English at PYC Arts & Tech for 10+ years:

“It’s so rewarding to see students be successful here when they’ve struggled elsewhere. You really see that what you’re offering to them is working – not all the time, but often.

Services

Students at PYC will find:

Teachers and staff who care about their success.
Strategic college, career and life planning services.
Artists who spark their creative spirits.
Credit recovery expertise.
A respectful and trusting school community.
Financial aid services.
A free, school-based health clinic.
After school tech time at the Capri Best Buy Teen Tech Center.
Onstage performing and backstage training at the Capri.
And more.

Chase Brenke

ALC Plus Case Coordinator

Cynthia Bryant

SET Team Manager

Nate Christen

English Teacher

Marion “Chub” Gilchrist

PYC Student Engagement Team Coordinator

Rachel Goudeau

Special Education Teacher (MPS)

Teria Holmes

School Office Specialist

Gianna Hudock

English Teacher

Ola Jackson

NorthPoint Teen Clinic

Ann Job

Special Education Teacher (MPS)

Christopher Johnson

Special Education Teacher (MPS)

Mary Jordan

NorthPoint Teen Clinic

Katelyn Keller-Marschalk

Social Studies Teacher

Stephen Ketter

Math Teacher

Xee Moua Kong

PYC Lead Social Worker

Kelley Pribyl

NSG/Art Teacher

Phillip Ray

Social Studies Teacher

Lance Reed

Nutrition Services Coordinator

Crystal Ruiz

College and Career Readiness Manager

Kevin Scharber

Math Teacher

Mahjabeen Siddiqui

Science Teacher

David Tarleton

Director of Education, PYC Arts & Tech High School

Not Pictured

Rebekah Forrest, NorthPoint Teen Clinic
Marcus Jackson-Cunningham, PYC Student Engagement Team Member
Angela Makepeace, Early Childhood Family Services (MPS)
Audrey Neal, Health Mentor/Community Health Specialist (Hennepin County)
Charles Varrie, Custodian (CleanQuest, LLC) and CEO and Founder, Building a Better You

School and Family Documents

PYC Arts & Technology High School

Frequently Asked Questions

Minneapolis Public Schools expands student choices through specialized, small-scale programs, including state-approved contract alternative schools like PYC Arts & Technology High School. While these programs vary based on their unique community partnerships and operational contracts, they are all legally authorized public options. Every program shares a unified dedication to helping students and families achieve educational success.

Contract Alternative Programs (CAP) are optional, choice-based high schools for students seeking an alternative to traditional school environments. Partner community agencies provide the staff and learning facilities in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools. Students remain fully enrolled in MPS, earn standard MPS diplomas, and join a community of roughly 1,200 students educated each year.

We serve students in grades 10 through 12, up to age 20. Our school works closely with parents, guardians, and families to support every student’s success.

Admission to PYC requires an official referral from your current or former high school counselor or administrator. For questions please contact Teria Holmes at 612-643-2018.

If you’ve already received a referral from your current or previous high school, start the PYC enrollment process by calling office specialist Teria Holmes at 612-643-2018.

Teria Holmes, PYC Office Specialist:
“We’re a really diverse school, which means we get to support a lot of different, unique student needs. We make sure everyone gets plenty of individual care through our PLUS* program, our awesome teachers, our student engagement team, and our social workers. It’s a huge bonus that PCYC owns the Capri right across the street—it’s a cool perk for our high schoolers!”

Take a look at the PYC video, too, to get a good idea of PYC’s specialties.

*The ALC Plus program supports young adults in foster care, juvenile probation, truancy intervention, or who are pregnant or parenting. It boosts school attendance, graduation rates, and job placements.

PCYC is the umbrella agency that operates three core community programs in North Minneapolis:

PYC Arts & Technology High School: A contract alternative high school focusing on personalized, arts-infused education.
Summer Freedom School: A summer literacy and enrichment program for elementary school students.
The Capri: A historic theater and community cultural arts center hosting performances, arts education, artist development and a Best Buy Teen Tech Center.