Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP), a middle place between high school and college, provides relevant education to prepare students for the high tech, high skill workplace of the 21st century.

STEP is a joint effort of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system and Anoka County with nonpartisan support of the local legislative delegation, business and industry partners, students, and parents in the community. Anoka Technical College, Anoka Ramsey Community College and other higher education institutions were part of the planning process. Anoka County issued bonds for the construction of the middle college, to be repaid through a lease/purchase agreement with the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Partnerships with community groups, business, industry, and labor enhance the program.

The new STEP middle college facility opened in the fall of 2002. The construction cost of the new building was approximately $8.5 million. The 60,000 square foot building is located on the Anoka Technical College campus. The new facility houses various high school academic courses as well as career and technical education programs. Additional career and technical programs are housed in the college facilities. Anoka Technical College and the Anoka-Hennepin School District share facilities, equipment, and supplies.