Very Good
#502 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 25% in state
Barnesville Secondary
High School · BARNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.
BOX 189, Barnesville, MN 56514
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Barnesville
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#89 of 628
In district
#1 of 2
BARNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Barnesville Secondary
Barnesville Secondary serves 379 students in grades 6-12 in this close-knit rural Minnesota community. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 and 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that helps drive impressive academic results. The school earns strong marks for academic performance, ranking #229 out of 2,027 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.
Students demonstrate solid proficiency rates, with 64% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 67% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students master core academic skills. Barnesville Secondary draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $80,625 and home values average $218,200.
With only a 5.1% poverty rate, families in the area generally enjoy economic stability. About 30% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The school's rural setting in Clay County offers students a traditional small-town educational experience where teachers know students individually and families are actively involved in school life.
This supportive community atmosphere, combined with solid academic programming, makes Barnesville Secondary an appealing option for families seeking quality education in a rural Minnesota setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Barnesville Secondary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Barnesville Secondary — Students at Barnesville Secondary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Barnesville Secondary Compares
See how Barnesville Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
BOX 189, Barnesville, MN 56514
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Barnesville Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Moorhead ALC (rated 7.3/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Moorhead), with a very similar rating. Another option is PELICAN RAPIDS SECONDARY (rated 6.7/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Pelican Rapids), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ROTHSAY SECONDARY (rated 6.2/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Rothsay), a more accessible option. For more schools in Barnesville, see our Barnesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BARNESVILLE ELEMENTARY Barnesville | 0.1 mi | 4.9 |
| ROTHSAY SECONDARY Rothsay | 13.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ROTHSAY ELEMENTARY Rothsay | 13.3 mi | 8.3 |
| HAWLEY SECONDARY Hawley | 16.7 mi | 6.0 |
| HAWLEY ELEMENTARY Hawley | 16.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Lake Agassiz Education Cooperative Hawley | 16.8 mi | 5.3 |
| INTENSIVE INTERAGENCY PROGRAM Hawley | 16.8 mi | — |
| Glacial Ridge Transitional Skills P Hawley | 16.8 mi | — |
| DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON MIDDLE SCH Glyndon | 17.1 mi | 6.0 |
| DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON SENIOR HIGH Glyndon | 17.1 mi | 5.9 |
| SPRING PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Hawley | 20.0 mi | — |
| PELICAN RAPIDS SECONDARY Pelican Rapids | 16.8 mi | 6.7 |
| VIKING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pelican Rapids | 17.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Dorothy Dodds Elementary School Moorhead | 19.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Moorhead ALC Moorhead | 19.9 mi | 7.3 |
| West Central Academy-N Moorhead | 19.9 mi | — |
| Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Elementary Dilworth | 20.8 mi | 5.8 |
| HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Moorhead | 20.3 mi | 5.8 |
| RICHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Abercrombie | 20.7 mi | 8.3 |
| S.G. Reinertsen Elementary Moorhead | 20.6 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56514 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,690
Median Home Value
$233,600
Median Rent
$868/mo
Population
4,055
College Educated
32.1%
Homeownership
85.4%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
34.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barnesville Secondary has a median household income of $88,690. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,600, with a median rent of $868/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake, MN | 7.3 |
| CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America, MN | 7.3 |
| LITCHFIELD SENIOR HIGH Litchfield, MN | 7.3 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake, MN | 7.3 |
| NEVIS SECONDARY Nevis, MN | 7.3 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager, MN | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Barnesville Secondary
What grades does Barnesville Secondary serve?
Barnesville Secondary serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Barnesville Secondary?
Barnesville Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnesville Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Barnesville Secondary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Barnesville Secondary rank in MN?
Barnesville Secondary is ranked #502 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Barnesville Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Barnesville Secondary has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barnesville Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnesville Secondary has 65.3% math proficiency and 66.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Barnesville Secondary a charter school?
No, Barnesville Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Barnesville Secondary a Title I school?
No, Barnesville Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barnesville Secondary?
22.4% of students at Barnesville Secondary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Clay County
- Phone
- (218) 354-2228
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BARNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.- District Enrollment
- 875
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,787
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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