Subheadline: Students were dismissed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, as ISD 728 officials responded to a reported threat. After-school activities were canceled for the day.
Students at Elk River High School were sent home early Tuesday after school officials received a reported threat, prompting a precautionary response from the Elk River Area School District and authorities.
ISD 728 officials said students were released from Elk River High School at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, “out of an abundance of caution.” All after-school activities at the school were also canceled for the remainder of the day.
Students dismissed as officials respond
The reported threat led district officials to end the school day early while they assessed the situation.
CBS Minnesota reported that students were released at 10:45 a.m. The district has not publicly disclosed the specific nature of the threat, including what prompted it or whether officials had identified a suspect.
District officials described the early dismissal as a precautionary measure.
Elk River High School is located at 900 School St. in Elk River and is part of ISD 728.
After-school activities canceled
The district also canceled all after-school activities at Elk River High School on Tuesday.
That decision affected practices, meetings and other activities that would normally have taken place after classes ended.
The district had not announced that the cancellation would extend beyond Tuesday.
Parents and students should rely on ISD 728 for any additional information about Wednesday’s schedule or further precautions.
Officials have not released details about the threat
The circumstances surrounding the reported threat remain under investigation.
As of the latest public reports, officials had not disclosed the wording or origin of the threat, whether it was determined to be credible or whether anyone had been taken into custody.
Because the investigation is ongoing, officials have provided limited information while the situation is assessed.
ISD 728 maintains a formal threat-assessment process for reports involving potential harm. The district says its threat-assessment teams evaluate reported threats to determine their seriousness and what steps may be necessary to prevent harm.
A precautionary response
School districts routinely use early dismissals, evacuations, and other safety measures when information raises concerns about the safety of students or staff.
In this case, ISD 728 chose to release students before the normal end of the school day while officials responded to the reported threat.
The district’s emergency procedures state that school closures or early dismissals related to emergencies are communicated through district channels, including ParentLink notifications to families.
The district serves more than 14,000 students across Elk River and surrounding communities.
What parents and students should know
For families connected to Elk River High School, the key information for Tuesday is:
- School: Elk River High School
- Location: Elk River, Minnesota
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
- Reason for early dismissal: Reported threat
- Dismissal time: 10:45 a.m.
- After-school activities: Canceled Tuesday
- Investigation: Ongoing
- Next step: Families should watch ISD 728 communications for additional updates.
School officials urge families to follow official updates
With details still limited, families should avoid relying on rumors or unverified information circulating online.
ISD 728’s official website and direct district communications are the appropriate sources for information about school operations, future schedule changes, and safety updates.
The district’s calendar continues to list regular school activities throughout the week, but Tuesday’s early dismissal and activity cancellations were made in response to the reported threat.
Bottom Line
Elk River High School dismissed students at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday after officials received a reported threat. The district also canceled all after-school activities for the day as officials responded.
The nature and credibility of the threat have not been publicly detailed, and the situation remains under investigation. For now, families should monitor ISD 728 for verified information about school operations and any additional safety measures.
