What Is It Known For?
Newgate School began in the early 1970s when founder Ron Severson partnered with the University of Minnesota to create something different. He wanted to help young adults in Minneapolis build better lives through automotive careers, so he set up this nonprofit technical school to serve underserved students. What makes Newgate special is that it offers completely free mechanic training, which removes financial barriers that often stop people from getting a good career education.
For more than 45 years, the school has been training Twin Cities students using donated cars from the local community. They work with up to 30 students at a time, keeping class sizes small so each person gets individual attention. This personalized approach works well because instructors can focus on what each student needs to succeed in automotive repair.
Degrees & Certifications
Newgate School provides professional automotive technical certifications rather than traditional degrees or diplomas. You can get certified in:
- Auto Body Repair
- Auto Mechanics
Most students finish their training within 12 to 18 months, which gets you ready for work much faster than a typical college program.
Class Schedules
All your learning happens in the shop, working on real cars with experienced instructors who’ve worked in the field for years. The training adapts to how you learn best, so you can move through the material at your own pace. Classes run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, plus Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
While Newgate doesn’t offer externships, they partner with dealerships, national brands, and local shops to help match your skills with companies that will support your career growth. This hands-on approach with real vehicles gives you practical experience from day one.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Newgate School operates as a nonprofit institution with quality training standards, though specific accreditation information isn’t readily available on their website. You should contact the school directly to learn about any official affiliations or certifications they hold.
Acceptance Rate
Newgate School doesn’t publish acceptance rate information. However, since they do have enrollment requirements for their programs, you should reach out to them directly to understand the application process and what they look for in prospective students.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Newgate School offers completely tuition-free automotive training for underserved young adults who want to build better lives. This means you can get professional automotive certification without paying tuition costs, removing the financial barrier that often prevents people from getting quality career training.
Programs & Courses
Skilled Trades
- Auto Body Training
- Auto Mechanics Training
Campus Locations
Minneapolis 2900 East Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55413
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Newgate School in Minneapolis, MN, has a very strong reputation, primarily focused on the positive impact of its non-profit mission: providing tuition-free auto technical training and donating vehicles to those in need. The feedback is overwhelmingly favorable, with a few isolated criticisms concerning past experiences.
Overall Score: 4.4/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Car Donation Experience: The most frequent praise is for the seamless and appreciative vehicle donation process. Donors describe the experience as “extremely simple,” “super-fast,” and “straight forward.”
Supportive and Friendly Staff: Staff members, including those involved in towing and donation experts, are consistently noted as “super gracious,” “super friendly,” “amazing,” and very helpful. The owner also frequently responds to reviews, showing strong engagement.
Worthy and Effective Mission: Reviewers enthusiastically support the school’s core purpose: giving cars a second life to fund tuition-free auto mechanic and auto body training for underserved young adults.
Impactful Community Program (“Wheels for Women”): The program that donates refurbished vehicles to single mothers is described by a recipient as a “savior” and a source of reliable transportation that was “life-changing” during a difficult time.
Common Criticisms
Isolated Enrollment/Diversity Issue: One detailed review from 2016 described a highly negative experience where an instructor allegedly “disrespected” a friend’s religion and “denied him to enroll.” This is a serious, isolated claim.
Difficulty Donating Specific Items: One reviewer noted they “did not have a good experience” because the school “did not want the items [they] wanted to donate” (implying non-vehicle items or specific non-auto parts). This suggests clear donation parameters the school follows.
Momentum
The recent reviews (from the last few months) remain highly positive, with a focus on the quick, easy donation process and the amazing staff. The single major negative criticism dates back several years (2016) and has an owner response addressing the issue. The continued high ratings and positive comments indicate a strong, sustained positive momentum for the organization’s current operations and charitable model.