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Children in Confinement: Seclusion in Schools

Repurposed as closet

No Accurate List of Registered Seclusion Rooms is Publicly Available

The Minnesota Department of Education’s list of seclusion rooms has not been updated. Many school districts that have ended the practice are still on the list. Other school districts that do have registered seclusion rooms actually use them, now, as storage closets or workspaces.

A metal door with narrow observation window. A plaque next to the door reads "171A Calming Room." A sheet of paper attached to the door reads "OUT OF ORDER DO NOT USE"
Registered seclusion room, labeled as “calming room,” with sign reading “OUT OF ORDER. DO NOT USE.” SWWC Education Learning Center – Cosmos, MN
An adult stands in a room with padded walls and uncarpeted floors. In the room are multiple student desks stacked 2-high.
Registered seclusion room used as storage closet for desks. SWWC Education Learning Center – Cosmos, MN
Room with beige walls and white flooring, desk and chair, and a portable toilet.
Registered seclusion room being used as an independent workspace or study space. In addition, the room includes objects that a child may use to injure themselves or others, including a desk, chair, and portable toilet. Seclusion room is not in compliance with Minnesotan law. School staff stated that the objects inside that will be removed in emergencies when students are secluded inside the room. Dakota Ridge School – Apple Valley, MN
Room with beige walls and light flooring. A portable desk and chair, guitar, and small posters on the wall.
Registered seclusion room being used as an independent workspace or study space. In addition, the registered seclusion room includes objects that a child may use to injure themselves or others, including a desk, chair, guitar, and wall postings. Seclusion room is not in compliance with Minnesotan law. School staff stated that the objects inside that will be removed in emergencies when students are secluded inside the room. Dakota Ridge School – Apple Valley, MN.

Registered seclusion room with desk and guitar. Dakota Ridge School – Apple Valley, MN

Seclusion room not in compliance with physical requirements under law. Registered seclusion room with
multiple manipulatives, including an installed hammock, portable toilet, desk, and mat, which would have to be
removed in an “emergency.” Dakota Ridge School – Apple Valley, MN

Seclusion room not in compliance with physical requirements under law. Dakota Ridge School – Apple
Valley, MN.

Seclusion room not in compliance with physical requirements under law. Registered seclusion room with
multiple manipulatives, including bed, to be removed in emergency. Dakota Ridge School – Apple Valley, MN