Brainerd Learning Center Aec-Mlap
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The Area Education Center is located in Brainerd, Minnesota. Our program serves middle school stude The first home was a feed store on Front Street in Brainerd.
A Brief History of the Brainerd Area Education Center
The Brainerd Area Education Center was established in the mid 1970’s as a place to help students who just didn’t fit the mold. It was designed for those who, for whatever reason, didn’t do well in the traditional high school setting. The first director of the Area Education Center (AEC) was Arlo Renschler. Those who first worked there have reported that there were more mice than students! The AEC student population grew slowly but it was only a matter of time before space became an issue. The second home for the AEC was a convent. Really! It was the area of St. Andrew’s church where the nuns formerly had their sleeping quarters. While not an ideal setup it was a vast improvement over the feed store. Teachers met with individual students in what were the nun’s bedrooms. There was a fairly large computer lab with 28 computers packed in every possible location. Eight VCR and TV stations were available for student video viewing. Eventually the full-time staff of teachers reached 18 and student populations soared to about 400 full and part-time students. The AEC remained in this location beginning in 1982 until the fall of 2002. Marlee Larson became the director in 1994. Jessica Haapajoki is the current director. The AEC’s current home is in a former Super 1 grocery store. The building is located at 311 Tenth Avenue NE and is know as the ISD #181 Learning Center. It is a spacious building. The portion of the building that houses the AEC was designed and remodeled with our students in mind. Most of the teacher offices surround the centrally located computer lab. Staff and students have ready access to the resources housed in the media center. There is also a large multi-purpose room. It is used for physical education and a multitude of other uses. The full-time staff now numbers 15 and we continue to serve a large numbers of students. The AEC shares the building with the Early Childhood and Family Education Center (ECFE), the Early Childhood and Special Education (ECSE) facilities and the Mid-Level Alternative Program (MLAP).
06/01/2026
Congratulations to our Brainerd Learning Center (BLC) graduates! 💙🎓
05/28/2026
Brainerd Learning Center's 2025 - 2026 graduation will be live-streamed on the Gitchi-ziibi Center for the Arts YouTube channel. If you are not able to join us in person at 4 pm on Thursday May 28, we invite you to celebrate with us online.
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05/21/2026
The yearbooks are coming the yearbooks are coming!! We’re excited to announce the distribution dates of the 2026 yearbook! For 9th - 11th grades: Thursday, May 28th in the media center hallway. Seniors: Friday, May 29th after the graduation practice on the field **BONUS-a free lunch will be given to the class of 2026 to help celebrate! The yearbook staff is excited for you to see their work!
02/06/2026
🎉 Congratulations to Mary Ecklund-Tollas, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP) Staff Person of the Year!
With 30+ years dedicated to alternative education, Mary creates meaningful, student-centered opportunities while balancing high expectations with genuine support. 💙
01/22/2026
FRIDAY, JAN. 23: No School Due to Weather Conditions
This includes all Early Childhood classes, Fun & Friends, and Little Warrior childcare. There will be no after-school extracurricular practices, games, or activities.
Please note that the Early Childhood event, Wiggle A While Open Play, on Saturday, January 24, is also cancelled.
12/10/2025
Brainerd Public Schools will start two hours late tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10. There will be no morning Fun & Friends or morning Early Childhood classes.
12/09/2025
ALERT: Due to the forecasted weather conditions, Brainerd Public Schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. There will be no after-school activities or afternoon preschool classes. Fun & Friends and Little Warrior Childcare are open, but will close at 3 p.m.
If your student(s) ride district transportation, expect drop-off times to be approximately two hours earlier than usual. Please note that travel may take longer due to road conditions.
11/26/2025
Due to inclement weather, there will be no school on Wednesday, November 26. Fun & Friends and Little Warrior childcare are closed. There will be no after-school extracurricular practices, games, or activities.
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311 10th Avenue NE
Brainerd, MN
56401
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