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About Us

Welcome to the Zumbro Education District

The Zumbro Education District (ZED) is a collaborative educational cooperative serving several southeastern Minnesota school districts. ZED is dedicated to promoting educational success for all students by providing a wide range of specialized services and programs that support students with diverse learning needs, including those who require special education, early intervention, and enrichment opportunities.

Key functions of ZED include:

  • Delivering specialized services such as special education, assistive technology, speech therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and support for students with disabilities.

  • Operating unique programs:

    •  Futures/Choices Program, which offers individualized instruction for students whose needs cannot be met in general education settings.

    • The ZED Area Learning Center (ALC) is an alternative public school serving students in grades 6-12 within the Zumbro Education District. The ALC is designed to support at-risk students by providing flexible, individualized educational programs aimed at helping them stay, or get back on track for graduation and achieve academic success.

    • The ZED Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides specialized services for children from birth to age 7 who have developmental delays or medical needs. The program offers early intervention and support in areas such as thinking, communication, self-help, physical development, vision, hearing, and social/behavioral skills, with the goal of helping each child reach their fullest potential.

  • Providing enrichment activities such as academic competitions, creative writing contests, and summer academies to nurture gifted and talented students.

  • Collaborating with member districts to ensure all students have access to the resources and support necessary for success in both school and life.

By coordinating resources and expertise, ZED helps its member districts meet the diverse educational needs of approximately 9,500 students across the region.

Our Mission 

To promote educational success for all students by:
  • Attracting, training, and retaining talented staff;
  • Seeking and acting upon continuous feedback from students, staff, parents, member districts, and community;
  • Providing the space, resources, and facilities needed for education success;
  • Continually find creative ways to fund current and future services