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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,781

Barnesville Secondary — Students at Barnesville Secondary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
64%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in MN
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (506/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Barnesville). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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