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Minnesota school districts will be able to reopen their middle and high school buildings to students starting Feb. 22, Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday. 

Students in those schools can return to classrooms for hybrid or in-person learning with the expectation that all schools will offer some form of in-person learning by March 8, officials said. Distance learning options would be available for students uncomfortable about returning.

Schools will still be required to stay vigilant against the disease’s spread, requiring masking and social distancing for students and staff while indoors.

“It’s time to get our students back in school, and we can do that now safely,” Walz said during a noon briefing, citing progress on vaccinations along with the state’s improving pandemic metrics. “We’re on our way to ending the pandemic. We’re beating this thing.”

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According to his office, nearly 25 percent of teachers have been at least partially vaccinated so far and school staff next week will have access to more than 18,000 doses at state vaccine sites. Walz predicted “the bulk of our educators” would be vaccinated by March 8.

Pressed by reporters about whether he would force school districts to reopen buildings by March 8, the governor said the plan depended on partnerships with local officials and that the state would “cross each of those bridges when they come.”

Wednesday’s announcement comes in the middle of a tumultuous school year. As the virus raged, many schools pivoted to full-time distance learning around Thanksgiving, but thanks to loosened state restrictions, began bringing back its youngest students starting last month.  

St. Paul and Minneapolis, two of the state’s largest school districts, now offer in-person learning for elementary school students, but close to 40 percent of those students have still chosen distance learning. Late Wednesday, the St. Paul district said is was “moving forward to begin returning our older students on Feb. 22.”

The governor’s plan also did not offer any additional guidance on events tied to schools, such as proms, graduations or prep sports.

The updated rules come days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released 

for schools, and nearly two months after Walz put out an 

 to get the state’s youngest learners back to in-person classes.

Last week, Walz said he wanted all Minnesota students back in classrooms as soon as possible, but said he would not set a date requiring the return of in-person learning and would work closely with local school leaders.

Under current state guidance, middle and high school leaders must consult with local public health officials on county case rates of COVID-19 before choosing an in-person, distance or hybrid learning scenario for their students. 

State health officials say they haven’t found any evidence yet of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the schools in the state that are teaching in-person.

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What do you want to know about schools reopening?

Public elementary schools are no longer required to consult with local health officials or use county case rate data before deciding whether or not to offer an in-person option for their students but must follow safety precautions. 

 also instruct school leaders to look at regional COVID-19 spread when determining whether to open schools for in-person learning. 

 such as masking, social distancing, hand-washing and ventilation. It also urges middle and high schools in communities where viral transmission is high to remain in distance learning unless mitigation measures are “

Vaccines for kids as young as first graders could be authorized by September

CDC offers clearest guidance yet for reopening schools

In recent weeks, Walz has prioritized school staff for COVID-19 vaccinations; Minnesota is just 

 to do so. He has also directed schools to offer on-site COVID-19 testing for their staff. According to Walz spokesperson Teddy Tschann, 96 percent of Minnesota districts are participating in the testing program. 

Republican state lawmakers have urged Walz to ease up on restrictions and allow more schools to reopen. Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, in a recent emailed statement threw her support behind a bill seeking to limit Walz’s peacetime emergency authority to close schools.  

“There is widespread agreement about the importance of getting students back into the classroom,” Nelson wrote. “The decision on how and when to reopen should not be made from the governor’s office. It should come from local school boards and community leaders.”

Minnesota school administrative leaders have said the bill is not necessary. 

Read the full planning guide for schools 

Schools plan for potential of remote learning into the fall

Minnesota’s pilot program to vaccinate teachers

It’s back to school for many of Minnesota’s youngest students

Gov. Walz details plan to reopen secondary school buildings to students:

Walz responds to questions from reporters:

MPR News reporter Mark Zdechlik contributed to this reporting.

Elizabeth Shockman

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Sara Porter

The decision follows new federal protocols on how schools should operate during the pandemic. “It’s time to get our students back in school, and we can do that now safely,” the Minnesota governor said.

The decision follows new federal protocols on how schools should operate during the pandemic. “It’s time to get our students back in school, and we can do that now safely,” the Minnesota governor said.

Walz: Students can return to middle, high school buildings Monday

A teen sitting at a desk wears a face mask and raises her hand. 

Alex Kormann | Star Tribune via AP 2020

Share of Minnesota students learning in person by grade

David H. Montgomery | MPR News

Many Minnesota students already back in classrooms

Share of Minnesota students by learning model

Share of students learning in person by grade

Walz: Students can return to middle, high school buildings Monday

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