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Below Average

#1719 of 1,992 schools in MN

Cass Lake-bena Middle School

Middle School · CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

15314 STATE 371 NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633

Enrollment

303

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

4.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,719 of 1,992

In Cass Lake

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Cass Lake-bena Middle School

4.6/10

Middle School in Cass Lake · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cass Lake-bena Secondary

7.0/10

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

Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.

6.5/10

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

About Cass Lake-bena Middle School

Cass Lake-bena Middle School is a public middle school in Cass Lake, MN, part of CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Cass Lake-bena Middle School serves approximately 303 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cass Lake-bena Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,719 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Cass Lake-bena Middle School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below MN schools
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • MN avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

At 9.5:1 students to teachers, Cass Lake-bena Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Cass Lake-bena Middle 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.

48% of students at Cass Lake-bena Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,906
Chronic Absenteeism47.9%

Cass Lake-bena Middle School — Students at Cass Lake-bena Middle School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
24%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2013
Math
24%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
22%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Cass Lake-bena Middle School Compares

See how Cass Lake-bena Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in MN
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

15314 STATE 371 NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cass Lake-bena Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laporte Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Voyageurs Expeditionary MS (rated 4.9/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cass Lake, see our Cass Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.4 mi
School Distance Rating
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake 0.1 mi 7.0
CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. Cass Lake 1.6 mi 6.5
CASS LAKE-BENA ELEMENTARY Cass Lake 1.8 mi 4.6
LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte 12.1 mi 6.9
LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte 12.1 mi 4.4
Laporte Middle School Laporte 12.1 mi 5.6
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 13.2 mi 7.0
HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji 12.6 mi 4.8
W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker 18.0 mi 6.5
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker 18.0 mi 7.0
Up North Learning Center Walker 19.9 mi
ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji 15.0 mi 4.8
Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji 15.0 mi
J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji 15.5 mi 4.6
Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji 15.9 mi 7.7
Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji 16.0 mi 5.8
Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji 16.0 mi 4.9
Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School Bena 14.3 mi
BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji 15.7 mi
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walker 21.4 mi

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
PIPESTONE MIDDLE Pipestone, MN 4.6
SET Academy Middle Minneapolis, MN 4.6
LA CRESCENT-HOKAH MIDDLE SCHOOL La Crescent, MN 4.7
Brooklyn Center Middle School Brooklyn Center, MN 4.8
Hennepin Schools Upper Campus Minneapolis, MN 4.8
AURORA MIDDLE SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cass Lake-bena Middle School

What grades does Cass Lake-bena Middle School serve?

Cass Lake-bena Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Cass Lake-bena Middle School?

Cass Lake-bena Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Middle School is 9.5:1. 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 Middle School rank in MN?

Cass Lake-bena Middle School ranks #1,719 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Cass Lake-bena Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cass Lake-bena Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Cass Lake-bena Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cass Lake-bena Middle School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Cass Lake-bena Middle School a charter school?

No, Cass Lake-bena Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cass Lake-bena Middle School a Title I school?

No, Cass Lake-bena Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cass Lake-bena Middle School?

84.5% of students at Cass Lake-bena Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

District

CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
1,112
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,906
District Rank
#4 of 4

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