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Excellent

#75 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 4% in state

Birch Grove Community School

Elementary School · BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

P.O. BOX 2383, Tofte, MN 55615

Charter

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#75 of 1,992

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Birch Grove Community School

8.6/10

Elementary School in Tofte · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

William Kelley Elementary

7.6/10

27.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wm. M. Kelley Secondary

6.9/10

27.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Birch Grove Community School

Birch Grove Community School is a public elementary school in Tofte, MN, part of BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL. Birch Grove Community School serves approximately 51 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Birch Grove Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #75 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Birch Grove Community School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

What's said publicly about Birch Grove Community School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Birch Grove Community School is a tuition-free public charter school located in Tofte, Minnesota, near the north shore of Lake Superior 1 . The school serves students from its Seedlings and Saplings programs through fifth grade 1 . In 2024, the Minnesota Department of Education awarded the school “High Quality Charter School” status, a distinction met or exceeded by only 17 of the state’s 181 public charter schools 1 . This marks the third time the school has received this specific status 1 . The recognition included an invitation to apply for funding to significantly expand or replicate the school 1 . The school’s mission focuses on promoting academic excellence by utilizing its natural setting to prepare students to become socially and environmentally responsible, self-directed, lifelong learners 1 . Diane Blanchette serves as the Director of the school 1 . The curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, and math as core subjects, delivered through an active, outdoor-based approach 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.birchgroveschool.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares2.2 pts above MN schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 51 students, Birch Grove Community School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Birch Grove Community School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Birch Grove Community School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change+0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+31.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,738
Chronic Absenteeism31.4%

Birch Grove Community School — Students at Birch Grove Community School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2010
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2020*
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
75%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Birch Grove Community School Compares

See how Birch Grove Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
96th percentile in MN
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

Location

P.O. BOX 2383, Tofte, MN 55615

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birch Grove Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WILLIAM KELLEY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 27.4 miles away, in nearby Silver Bay), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wm. M. Kelley Secondary (rated 6.9/10, 27.5 miles away, in nearby Silver Bay), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tofte, see our Tofte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

2 within 27.5 mi
School Distance Rating
WILLIAM KELLEY ELEMENTARY Silver Bay 27.4 mi 7.6
Wm. M. Kelley Secondary Silver Bay 27.5 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55615 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,893

Median Home Value

$235,300

Median Rent

$1,266/mo

Population

405

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

74.5%

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CVA Fusion Elementary School (K-5) Minneapolis, MN 8.7
Riverway Learning Community Charter Winona, MN 8.4
Tonka Online K-5 Minnetonka, MN 8.3
NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY Orr, MN 8.1
FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY Finlayson, MN 8.0
Lincoln Elementary - Ivanhoe Ivanhoe, MN 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birch Grove Community School

What grades does Birch Grove Community School serve?

Birch Grove Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Birch Grove Community School?

Birch Grove Community School has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birch Grove Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Birch Grove Community School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birch Grove Community School rank in MN?

Birch Grove Community School ranks #75 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Birch Grove Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Birch Grove Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Birch Grove Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Birch Grove Community School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Birch Grove Community School a charter school?

Yes, Birch Grove Community School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Birch Grove Community School a Title I school?

No, Birch Grove Community School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birch Grove Community School?

45.1% of students at Birch Grove Community 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.

3 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

District

BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
District Enrollment
51
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,738
District Rank
#1 of 1

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