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#1630 of 1,986 schools in MN

Big Lake Middle School

Middle School · BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

601 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309

Enrollment

645

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Big Lake

#4 of 5

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#178 of 280

In district

#4 of 5

BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Big Lake Middle School

Big Lake Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the town of Big Lake, Minnesota, near Sherburne County. With an enrollment of 645 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school benefits from a relatively low teacher-student ratio, which can be advantageous for personalized learning experiences. The school houses sixth through eighth graders and has 41 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.

Big Lake Middle School’s academic performance is rated at 4.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout.com, placing it in the 33rd percentile among Minnesota schools, with a state ranking of #1360 out of 2027 schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 55% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 48% achieve this level in Math. These scores indicate that the school is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth.

Situated in a town on the edge of an urban area, Big Lake Middle School provides its students with a setting that blends the benefits of both rural and suburban environments.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,520

Big Lake Middle School — Students at Big Lake Middle School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
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
61%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
52%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Big Lake Middle School Compares

See how Big Lake Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in MN
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

601 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Lake Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eastview Education Center (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Monticello), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Monticello), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LIBERTY ELEMENTARY (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Lake, see our Big Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY Big Lake 0.1 mi 6.2
SNW - Big Lake HS Transitions Big Lake 0.2 mi
BIG LAKE SENIOR HIGH Big Lake 0.2 mi 5.9
Big Lake Online K-5 Big Lake 0.2 mi
Big Lake Online 6-12 Big Lake 0.2 mi 2.8
LIBERTY ELEMENTARY Big Lake 0.7 mi 6.5
Monticello Middle School - SNW Monticello 3.3 mi
SNW Monti MS EBD Program Monticello 3.3 mi
MONTICELLO MIDDLE Monticello 3.3 mi 5.7
Intensive DCD - SNW Monticello 3.4 mi
Foundations II Monticello 3.4 mi
882 Online 6-12 Monticello 3.4 mi 5.6
HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY Monticello 3.5 mi 7.4
Eastview Elementary School - SNW Monticello 3.9 mi
Primary DCD - SNW Monticello 3.9 mi
Eastview Education Center Monticello 3.9 mi 7.5
Monticello High School - SNW Monticello 4.0 mi
SNW Monti HS EBD Program Monticello 4.0 mi
MONTICELLO SENIOR HIGH Monticello 4.0 mi 4.8
MONTICELLO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Monticello 3.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,387

Median Home Value

$335,500

Median Rent

$1,463/mo

Population

21,406

College Educated

31.2%

Homeownership

91.1%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Big Lake Middle School has a median household income of $118,387. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,500, with a median rent of $1,463/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
112 ALC MIDDLE SCHOOL Chaska, MN 5.0
SUNRISE PARK MIDDLE White Bear Lake, MN 5.0
Twin Bluff School Red Wing, MN 5.0
WINONA MIDDLE Winona, MN 5.0
BYRON MIDDLE SCHOOL Byron, MN 4.9
Discovery Middle School Alexandria, MN 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Lake Middle School

What grades does Big Lake Middle School serve?

Big Lake Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Big Lake Middle School?

Big Lake Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Lake Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Lake Middle School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Lake Middle School rank in MN?

Big Lake Middle School is ranked #1630 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Big Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Lake Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Big Lake Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Lake Middle School has 48.3% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Big Lake Middle School a charter school?

No, Big Lake Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Lake Middle School a Title I school?

No, Big Lake Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Lake Middle School?

38.3% of students at Big Lake Middle School 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

City Safety
Average (473/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Sherburne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
3,157
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,268
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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