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#1532 of 1,986 schools in MN

Barnum Secondary

High School · BARNUM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

3675 COUNTY RD 13, Barnum, MN 55707

Enrollment

338

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

5.2

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Barnum

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#454 of 628

In district

#2 of 2

BARNUM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Barnum Secondary

Barnum Secondary, located in the rural community of Barnum, Minnesota, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 338 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated faculty comprises 20 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting their students' academic growth.

Barnum Secondary's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it at the 22nd percentile among Minnesota schools. Academically, the school has an average ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 59% and a Math proficiency rate of 39%. While these numbers suggest there's room for improvement, Barnum Secondary is focused on fostering student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

The school sits in the heart of rural Carlton County, offering students a close-knit community setting where they can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Barnum 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 Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,494

Barnum Secondary — Students at Barnum Secondary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
57%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Barnum Secondary Compares

See how Barnum Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in MN
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

3675 COUNTY RD 13, Barnum, MN 55707

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barnum Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CROMWELL-WRIGHT SECONDARY (rated 7.2/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Cromwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY (rated 6.9/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Willow River), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CLOQUET AREA ALT. ED. PROGRAMS (rated 5.8/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Cloquet), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Barnum, see our Barnum schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
BARNUM ELEMENTARY Barnum 0.5 mi 5.8
MCF-MOOSE LAKE/WILLOW RIVER Moose Lake 6.0 mi
MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY Moose Lake 6.6 mi 7.9
MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY Moose Lake 6.6 mi 5.7
WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY Willow River 14.9 mi 4.3
WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY Willow River 14.9 mi 6.9
Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Cloquet 16.2 mi
CROMWELL-WRIGHT SECONDARY Cromwell 15.4 mi 7.2
CROMWELL-WRIGHT ELEMENTARY Cromwell 15.4 mi 8.4
SOUTH TERRACE ELEMENTARY Carlton 15.7 mi 6.1
NLA-Carlton Cloquet 16.4 mi
CARLTON SECONDARY Carlton 16.4 mi 5.1
QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cloquet 18.0 mi 7.3
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Cloquet 17.8 mi 5.0
CLOQUET MIDDLE Cloquet 18.0 mi 4.6
CLOQUET SENIOR Cloquet 18.0 mi 5.6
Northern Lights Academy Cloquet 18.2 mi
CLOQUET AREA ALT. ED. PROGRAMS Cloquet 18.2 mi 5.8
CAAEP EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM Cloquet 18.2 mi
CHURCHILL ELEMENTARY Cloquet 18.8 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,471

Median Home Value

$229,600

Median Rent

$915/mo

Population

3,207

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

87.2%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Barnum Secondary has a median household income of $81,471. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,600, with a median rent of $915/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% 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
ALC School Within a School Duluth, MN 5.2
BLACKDUCK SECONDARY Blackduck, MN 5.2
EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson, MN 5.2
Metro College Prep Minneapolis, MN 5.2
NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. New London, MN 5.2
PARK RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Park Rapids, MN 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barnum Secondary

What grades does Barnum Secondary serve?

Barnum Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Barnum Secondary?

Barnum Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 338 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnum Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Barnum Secondary is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barnum Secondary rank in MN?

Barnum Secondary is ranked #1532 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Barnum Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Barnum Secondary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Barnum Secondary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnum Secondary has 38.7% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Barnum Secondary a charter school?

No, Barnum Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Barnum Secondary a Title I school?

No, Barnum Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barnum Secondary?

36.7% of students at Barnum 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

County Safety
Average (318/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Carlton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BARNUM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
675
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,118
District Rank
#2 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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