Average
#726 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 37% in state
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
High School · CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
208 CENTRAL AVE NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cass Lake
#2 of 4
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#169 of 628
In district
#2 of 4
CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LEARNING CENTER is a unique alternative school located in the remote rural area of Cass Lake, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, this small campus provides a close-knit environment with an enrollment of just 98 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. The school’s eight full-time equivalent teachers work closely with each student to offer personalized learning opportunities.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10, the academic performance at CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LEARNING CENTER is currently in the lower tier compared to other schools in Minnesota, ranking at #1546 out of 2027 schools. The ELA and Math proficiency rates stand at 15% for both subjects, indicating that there is room for improvement in academic performance. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on student development and providing a supportive learning environment tailored to the needs of its students.
CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LEARNING CENTER is situated in a picturesque rural setting surrounded by natural beauty, offering students an immersive educational experience away from urban distractions.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 98 students, Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. 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.
While current test scores at Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. — Students at Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. Compares
See how Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
208 CENTRAL AVE NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. (rated 6.3/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Walker), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Voyageurs Expeditionary School (rated 5.6/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cass Lake, see our Cass Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CASS LAKE-BENA ELEMENTARY Cass Lake | 0.1 mi | 5.4 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cass Lake | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte | 13.6 mi | 7.8 |
| LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte | 13.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Laporte Middle School Laporte | 13.6 mi | 5.7 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 12.7 mi | 7.5 |
| HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 12.5 mi | 4.4 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 19.5 mi | 5.6 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 19.5 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 14.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 14.5 mi | — |
| Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School Bena | 13.9 mi | — |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 15.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 15.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 15.3 mi | 8.3 |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 15.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 21.5 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 15.3 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 15.6 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56633 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,422
Median Home Value
$157,900
Median Rent
$873/mo
Population
4,863
College Educated
17.7%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Median Age
30.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. has a median household income of $62,422. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,900, with a median rent of $873/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 917 DCALS Main Rosemount, MN | 6.9 |
| 917 DCALS North West Saint Paul, MN | 6.9 |
| GRYGLA SECONDARY Grygla, MN | 6.9 |
| Online728 High School Elk River, MN | 6.9 |
| Waseca Area Learning Center Waseca, MN | 6.9 |
| CITY ACADEMY Saint Paul, MN | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
What grades does Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. serve?
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.?
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.?
The student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. rank in MN?
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. is ranked #726 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. has 15.0% math proficiency and 15.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. a charter school?
No, Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. a Title I school?
No, Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.?
85.7% of students at Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr. qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 98
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (218) 335-2204
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 1,112
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,906
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.