Average
#1404 of 1,986 schools in MN
Bigfork Secondary
High School · GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOX 228, Bigfork, MN 56628
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bigfork
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#410 of 628
In district
#9 of 10
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Bigfork Secondary
Bigfork Secondary is a rural high school located in Bigfork, Minnesota, serving students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 132 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment with ten full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Bigfork Secondary faces challenges in academic performance, as indicated by a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1744 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it in the 14th percentile.
In reading and English language arts, 51% of students are proficient or above, while only 21% meet proficiency standards in math. Bigfork Secondary is situated in a remote rural area where community support plays a crucial role in student development. The school focuses on fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth and engagement among its students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 132 students, Bigfork Secondary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Bigfork 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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Bigfork Secondary — Students at Bigfork Secondary score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.8/10.
How Bigfork Secondary Compares
See how Bigfork Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
BOX 228, Bigfork, MN 56628
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bigfork Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.9/10, 33.3 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 34.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DEER RIVER SECONDARY (rated 5.8/10, 29.2 miles away, in nearby Deer River), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bigfork, see our Bigfork schools guide .
Nearby Schools
12 within 34.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BIGFORK ELEMENTARY Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 6.0 |
| DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River | 29.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Deer River High School ALP Deer River | 29.2 mi | — |
| Deer River Schools SPED Deer River | 29.2 mi | — |
| KING ELEMENTARY Deer River | 29.5 mi | 8.2 |
| COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset | 33.2 mi | 7.3 |
| GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine | 33.3 mi | 5.0 |
| GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine | 33.3 mi | 7.9 |
| GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids | 34.8 mi | 7.2 |
| VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine | 33.4 mi | 7.0 |
| MARBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Marble | 33.7 mi | — |
| NASHWAUK SECONDARY Nashwauk | 34.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56628 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,631
Median Home Value
$232,700
Median Rent
$1,129/mo
Population
1,649
College Educated
15.5%
Homeownership
88.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
56.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bigfork Secondary has a median household income of $58,631. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,700, with a median rent of $1,129/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary Okabena, MN | 5.5 |
| SWANVILLE SECONDARY Swanville, MN | 5.5 |
| ACADEMIC ARTS HIGH SCHOOL West Saint Paul, MN | 5.6 |
| DOWNTOWN CAMPUS Minneapolis, MN | 5.6 |
| FIT Academy High School Apple Valley, MN | 5.4 |
| FULDA SECONDARY Fulda, MN | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bigfork Secondary
What grades does Bigfork Secondary serve?
Bigfork Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Bigfork Secondary?
Bigfork Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bigfork Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bigfork Secondary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bigfork Secondary rank in MN?
Bigfork Secondary is ranked #1404 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Bigfork Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bigfork Secondary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Bigfork Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bigfork Secondary has 21.3% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bigfork Secondary a charter school?
No, Bigfork Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bigfork Secondary a Title I school?
No, Bigfork Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bigfork Secondary?
63.6% of students at Bigfork 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
- County Safety
- Average (295/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 132
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Itasca County
- Phone
- (218) 743-3444
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,024
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #9 of 10
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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