New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, and Minnesota Republican candidate for governor Jeff Johnson will visit the Global Academy charter school on Monday, according to Johnson's campaign.

The Columbia Heights school had the highest reading score and one of the highest math scores among high-poverty schools last fall.

After the two Republicans tour the school, Christie and Johnson will speak to the media Monday afternoon, Johnson's campaign said.

According to Christie's schedule from the RGA, he and Johnson will also attend a 'Johnson for Governor' event and a Republican party event in addition to the school visit.

The Republican Governors Association's increased attention to the Minnesota race is new.

The RGA has spent huge cash in other states but its largess has not yet been evident in Minnesota, where DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has a double-digit polling advantage. National Democratic groups have also not spent as hugely in the state yet.

On Friday, former President Clinton visited Minnesota to boost Dayton and U.S. Sen. Al Franken's re-election bids.

The late visit may help get the governor's race on the national radar in the home stretch.

Photo: Students at Global Academy in a 2013 photo//Source: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune.