Who we are

Friendship Academy of the Arts (FAA) was founded in 2000 by a group of dedicated community leaders and educators from Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Their shared vision was to address the significant opportunity gap facing African American students in Minnesota by creating a school that combined high-quality academics with strong arts integration.

The vision for FAA was deeply rooted in the leadership of the late Dr. James Porter, Sr., who envisioned a school grounded in Agape love—one that would empower African American students to achieve academic success in ways not always realized in traditional systems. He invited Sister Juan L. Turner  Mary E. Riley and others; a location was secured for our school and Sister Ora Hokes as Co-Originators. Alongside co-founders and community leaders, the school was established through perseverance, faith, and community collaboration.

After searching and searching through the guidance, leadership, fortitude, perseverance, and diligence of both Sister B. Hines and Sister Mary E. Riley and several others; a location was secured. It was in a space recently vacated by one of the Minneapolis Public School's [MPS] Early Childhood Education [ECFE] programs in downtown Minneapolis at the Central Lutheran Church. 

After two years of planning, FAA opened its doors with 37 students and grew to 47 by the end of its first year. From its inception, the school was designed to provide a nurturing, family-oriented environment where scholars are known, valued, and supported. This commitment to relationships, academic excellence, and artistic expression has helped FAA become a respected and high-performing school within Minnesota’s charter school landscape.

FAA’s early years were marked by movement and growth. The school initially operated in space at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis before relocating to the Sabathani Community Center. In 2007, FAA found a more permanent home when Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church moved, creating additional space for the school. Over time, FAA continued to expand in response to community demand.

In 2012, the school refined its identity and formally became Friendship Academy of the Arts, emphasizing its commitment to arts-integrated learning. This approach blends academic rigor with creative expression, helping students develop critical thinking, confidence, and cultural awareness.

In 2017, FAA formalized its educational approach through “The Friendship Way,” a model that defines the school’s academic and cultural expectations. This framework is built on four key areas: Academics, Leadership, Family and Community Collaboration, and Art Integration. At its core, The Friendship Way emphasizes the importance of relationships, social-emotional development, and preparing students for success in college, careers, and life.

Due to increasing demand, FAA expanded to serve grades K–8 and operated across two campuses from 2020 to 2025. Today, all scholars are unified at its current location in South Minneapolis, continuing the school’s tradition of community-centered education.

Friendship Academy of the Arts has created a positive culture of learning for students. Parents and staff often describe the school as a family and a place where children are truly cared for and friendship is fostered. FAA considers a relatively small student population, in which everyone knows each other, to be integral to its culture and success. In 2016, FAA was one of just five schools in Minnesota to be named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Schools are nominated for the award by a state’s Department of Education, and FAA applied for and was granted status as an Exemplary High Performing School—which places FAA among the top schools statewide. In 2012 and 2014, FAA was recognized as a Reward School by the Minnesota Department of Education, performing in the top 15% of all Title I schools in the state. In 2013, FAA was recognized as a Celebration School, a designation awarded by MDE to schools for their efforts to increase student achievement. Additionally, FAA was recognized three times in the past five years as a Beating the Odds School by the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune newspaper.

The Friendship Way, FAA’s model for how things are done at the school, differentiates it from all other schools. This model explicitly lays out the academic and cultural norms and expectations for everyone in the school community. This methodology challenges scholars to explore their creativity while absorbing meaningful academic materials that prepare them for college, careers, and entrepreneurship. Integral to this curriculum is a focus on development of social/emotional skills and building positive relationships. Drawing on the school’s name and rich history, the FAA staff created The Friendship Way during the summer of 2017. The purpose of this model is to explicitly lay out academic and cultural norms and expectations for everyone in the FAA community. The Friendship Way comprises four interrelated pillars: Academics, Leadership, Family and Community Collaboration and Art Integration. At the heart of the model are FAA’s beliefs about the importance of friendship at school and in life. Core to The Friendship Way is the belief that the ability to build and sustain respectful relationships and enduring friendships is one of the most essential life skills. It is key to a successful personal and work life, and to being a competent, engaged citizen. Helping students develop the interpersonal skills necessary for effective relationships and friendships is interwoven throughout The Friendship Way.

Throughout its history, FAA has remained true to its founding principle: it is a school created by the community, sustained by the community, and committed to serving the community. With a focus on educating the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and artistically—Friendship Academy of the Arts continues to empower scholars to become confident, competent, and creative citizens.

Our school has had only two Sponsors - the Minneapolis Public Schools - District 1 and the Pillsbury United Communities. FAA has had 5 Executive Directors: Ethel Norwood (2000-2012), Dr. Nell Collier (2012-2015), Dr. B. Charvez Russell (2015-2021), and Carr Kpanyor (Interim 2021-2025), Kerry Kliman (2025-present)