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Average

#1219 of 1,986 schools in MN

Big Lake Senior High

High School · BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

501 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309

Enrollment

850

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Big Lake

#3 of 5

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#329 of 628

In district

#3 of 5

BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Big Lake Senior High

Big Lake Senior High serves grades 9 through 12 in Big Lake, Minnesota, with an enrollment of approximately 850 students. As a regular public high school, it's staffed by 48 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. Academically, Big Lake Senior High ranks in the 76th percentile among Minnesota high schools, placing it #496 out of 2,027 schools statewide.

The school's academic score of 7.5/10 reflects uneven performance across subjects. In English Language Arts and Reading, about 61% of students demonstrate proficiency or above, indicating solid literacy development. Mathematics is an area with room for growth, with 44% of students reaching proficiency or above, suggesting the school may benefit from additional support in quantitative skills.

The school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.6/10 reflects its position as a solidly performing institution with opportunities for improvement. With nearly 850 students, Big Lake Senior High offers the resources and scale typical of a comprehensive high school while maintaining a reasonably sized learning environment. Located on the fringe of an urban area, Big Lake Senior High serves a community positioned between rural and metropolitan influences, offering students access to both small-town character and broader regional opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,520

Big Lake Senior High — Students at Big Lake Senior High score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
62%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Big Lake Senior High Compares

See how Big Lake Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in MN
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

501 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Lake Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Monticello), which scores notably higher. Another option is 882 Online 6-12 (rated 5.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Monticello), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MONTICELLO SENIOR HIGH (rated 4.8/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Monticello), a more accessible option. For more schools in Big Lake, see our Big Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SNW - Big Lake HS Transitions Big Lake 0.0 mi
Big Lake Online K-5 Big Lake 0.0 mi
Big Lake Online 6-12 Big Lake 0.0 mi 2.8
BIG LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Big Lake 0.2 mi 5.0
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY Big Lake 0.3 mi 6.2
LIBERTY ELEMENTARY Big Lake 0.7 mi 6.5
Monticello Middle School - SNW Monticello 3.5 mi
SNW Monti MS EBD Program Monticello 3.5 mi
MONTICELLO MIDDLE Monticello 3.5 mi 5.7
Intensive DCD - SNW Monticello 3.5 mi
Foundations II Monticello 3.5 mi
882 Online 6-12 Monticello 3.5 mi 5.6
HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY Monticello 3.7 mi 7.4
Eastview Elementary School - SNW Monticello 4.0 mi
Primary DCD - SNW Monticello 4.0 mi
Eastview Education Center Monticello 4.0 mi 7.5
Monticello High School - SNW Monticello 4.2 mi
SNW Monti HS EBD Program Monticello 4.2 mi
MONTICELLO SENIOR HIGH Monticello 4.2 mi 4.8
MONTICELLO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Monticello 3.9 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 Senior High 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
DENFELD HIGH SCHOOL Duluth, MN 5.9
FRIDLEY SENIOR HIGH Fridley, MN 5.9
PINE CITY SECONDARY Pine City, MN 5.9
TOTINO-GRACE HIGH SCHOOL Fridley, MN 5.9
Henry High Minneapolis, MN 6.0
MILACA SECONDARY HIGH Milaca, MN 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Lake Senior High

What grades does Big Lake Senior High serve?

Big Lake Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Big Lake Senior High?

Big Lake Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Lake Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Lake Senior High is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Lake Senior High rank in MN?

Big Lake Senior High is ranked #1219 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Big Lake Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Lake Senior High has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Lake Senior High has 43.7% math proficiency and 61.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Big Lake Senior High a charter school?

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

Is Big Lake Senior High a Title I school?

No, Big Lake Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Lake Senior High?

31.6% of students at Big Lake Senior High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.6%
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
#3 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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