Average
#1438 of 1,986 schools in MN
Brainerd Senior High
High School · BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
702 S 5TH ST, Brainerd, MN 56401
Enrollment
1,833
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,833
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brainerd
#6 of 8
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#417 of 628
In district
#9 of 11
BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Brainerd Senior High
Brainerd Senior High serves 1,833 students in grades 9-12 in this northern Minnesota community, making it one of the region's larger high schools. With 89 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, providing a substantial educational environment for teenagers in the Crow Wing County area. Academically, the school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks 918th among Minnesota's 2,027 high schools, placing it in the 55th percentile statewide.
Students demonstrate solid performance in English Language Arts, with 56% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics shows room for growth with 48% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's academic score of 7.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student development in core subject areas. The surrounding community features a median household income of $62,275 and median home values of $219,400, with 23% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The poverty rate stands at 12.2% among the ZIP code's 31,347 residents. Brainerd Senior High operates in a remote town setting, serving as an important educational anchor for families throughout the greater Brainerd lakes region of central Minnesota.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Brainerd Senior High is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Brainerd Senior High — Students at Brainerd Senior High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33%
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: 7.6/10.
How Brainerd Senior High Compares
See how Brainerd Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 48% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
702 S 5TH ST, Brainerd, MN 56401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brainerd Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pillager Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Pillager), which scores notably higher. Another option is CROSBY-IRONTON SECONDARY (rated 4.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Crosby), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER (rated 4.3/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Brainerd, see our Brainerd schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER Brainerd | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BRAINERD Brainerd | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Discovery Woods Brainerd | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| HARRISON ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 0.8 mi | 9.0 |
| LOWELL ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER Brainerd | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| MIDDLE LEVEL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Brainerd | 1.5 mi | — |
| GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| OAK STREET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brainerd | 1.8 mi | — |
| LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter | 2.1 mi | 3.3 |
| BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| FORESTVIEW MIDDLE Baxter | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 12.3 mi | 9.2 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 17.4 mi | 7.1 |
| CROSBY-IRONTON SECONDARY Crosby | 14.3 mi | 4.9 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager | 12.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager | 12.9 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,269
Median Home Value
$237,900
Median Rent
$918/mo
Population
31,749
College Educated
24.1%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Brainerd Senior High has a median household income of $70,269. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,900, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| ROGERS SENIOR HIGH Rogers, MN | 5.4 |
| Coon Rapids High School Coon Rapids, MN | 5.5 |
| AUSTIN SENIOR HIGH Austin, MN | 5.3 |
| Mayo Senior High Rochester, MN | 5.6 |
| Woodbury High School Woodbury, MN | 5.6 |
| Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia, MN | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brainerd Senior High
What grades does Brainerd Senior High serve?
Brainerd Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Brainerd Senior High?
Brainerd Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,833 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brainerd Senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Brainerd Senior High is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brainerd Senior High rank in MN?
Brainerd Senior High is ranked #1438 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Brainerd Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Brainerd Senior High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Brainerd Senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brainerd Senior High has 47.0% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brainerd Senior High a charter school?
No, Brainerd Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brainerd Senior High a Title I school?
No, Brainerd Senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brainerd Senior High?
33.0% of students at Brainerd 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brainerd). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,833
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 89
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Crow Wing County
- Phone
- (218) 454-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 6,134
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,608
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
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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