Taxpayer-funded Sejong Academy shifts to online amid reports of ICE activity; community group urges noncitizens to stay home
Sejong Academy, a taxpayer-funded Korean immersion charter in St. Paul, moved to online learning on January 14–15, 2026, citing concerns for the “safety and well-being” of its community amid reports of possible ICE activity nearby.
Key takeaways
- Sejong Academy announced it would move to online learning for January 14–15; the school posted the message on its site: Sejong Academy notice.
- Community advisory: WCCS Radio and Fox News report that Urban Village urged noncitizens to remain home amid reported ICE activity.
- No public confirmation: There is no public evidence directly linking the school’s shift to online learning with confirmed ICE enforcement on those dates.
School announcement and timeline
Sejong Academy posted a brief message on its website saying it would “proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week (January 14 and 15)” and thanked families for cooperation while prioritizing community safety. The full notice is available on the school site: Sejong Academy notice.
Students attended remote classes on Wednesday and Thursday; Friday was already scheduled as a staff professional development day, so in-person instruction did not resume that week. Media report attempts to obtain further comment from the school were not answered publicly at the time of reporting (Fox News).
Urban Village advisory and reported community impact
Urban Village, a Minnesota community organization, posted a video and social posts advising undocumented residents and others without permanent status to stay home, avoid driving and limit contact because of reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Media coverage notes the guidance targeted fears especially within the local Myanmar community (WCCS Radio; Fox News).
“Many families were afraid to leave home, with some parents missing work, skipping medical appointments and keeping children out of school,” reports attributed to community outreach and coverage described widespread disruption.
Public record and verification
News reports cite Urban Village’s public guidance but do not include official confirmation of raids or enforcement actions from ICE or other federal agencies. Public agencies often limit disclosures about operational movements; the absence of verifiable, public records confirming ICE activity on the dates in question leaves an information gap between community reports and official records (Fox News).
Sejong Academy background and public funding
Sejong Academy is a tuition-free public charter school at 2410 Stillwater Rd E, St. Paul, offering Korean immersion from pre-K through third grade and beyond, with cultural programs such as Taekwondo and Korean percussion. Enrollment and program details are on the school’s website: Sejong Academy immersion program and enrollment form.
Media reports note the school received more than $7 million in government grants, citing IRS filings and audits reviewed during coverage (Fox News; WCCS Radio).
Investigative questions: transparency and coordination
This episode raises several questions for local officials and investigators:
- What specific safety threats — if any — prompted the online shift? The school’s public message did not specify the nature of concerns.
- Was there direct contact between Sejong Academy and law enforcement or federal authorities about safety or enforcement activity?
- Can local officials verify the scope and location of any reported ICE operations to clarify whether advisories were proportionate to actual activity?
Clear communication from school leadership and transparency from agencies where possible could reduce confusion and help families plan.
Implications for Hesperia, California
Though the events occurred in St. Paul, the situation has practical lessons for Hesperia:
- Public safety and school transparency: Local charter operators should have clear emergency communication plans that explain risks and protective actions.
- Community disruption: Immigrant communities may respond to reports elsewhere; employers and clinics should prepare for reduced staffing and missed appointments.
- Fiscal accountability: Conservative taxpayers often scrutinize publicly funded schools; interruptions raise questions about governance and transparency.
- Practical preparations: Families should designate emergency caregivers, keep remote-learning tools ready, and confirm employer leave policies.
Sources and responses
Reporting relies on the school’s public notice, Urban Village’s social posts, and media accounts that connected the events in timing. Primary media accounts include Fox News and WCCS Radio. The school’s announcement and program details appear on the official site: Sejong Academy official site.
Note: Officials, school leaders and community organizations contacted for this story did not provide additional public comment by press time.
