Very Good
#507 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 26% in state
Cass Lake-bena Secondary
High School · CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
15308 STATE 371 NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cass Lake
#1 of 4
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#91 of 628
In district
#1 of 4
CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Cass Lake-bena Secondary
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY is a high school located in the remote rural area of Cass Lake, Minnesota. With an enrollment of 253 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to its students. The school has 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students navigate their high school journey.
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY is ranked in the 38th percentile among Minnesota schools, reflecting areas where there's room for academic growth. Test scores show that 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 18% are proficient or above in math. The school focuses on student development beyond test scores, offering a supportive environment conducive to learning.
Set against the backdrop of Cass Lake’s serene rural landscape, CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY is part of a tight-knit community that values education and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cass Lake-bena 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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Cass Lake-bena Secondary — Students at Cass Lake-bena Secondary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.1%
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 Cass Lake-bena Secondary Compares
See how Cass Lake-bena Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
15308 STATE 371 NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cass Lake-bena Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. (rated 6.3/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Walker), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Voyageurs Expeditionary School (rated 5.6/10, 15.9 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 15.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cass Lake | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. Cass Lake | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA ELEMENTARY Cass Lake | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte | 12.0 mi | 7.8 |
| LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte | 12.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Laporte Middle School Laporte | 12.0 mi | 5.7 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 13.1 mi | 7.5 |
| HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 12.5 mi | 4.4 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 18.0 mi | 5.6 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 18.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 19.9 mi | — |
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 14.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 14.9 mi | — |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 15.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 15.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 15.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 15.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School Bena | 14.4 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 15.6 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 15.9 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 Secondary 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America, MN | 7.3 |
| HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills, MN | 7.3 |
| LANESBORO SECONDARY Lanesboro, MN | 7.3 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake, MN | 7.3 |
| NEVIS SECONDARY Nevis, MN | 7.3 |
| HANCOCK SEC. Hancock, MN | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cass Lake-bena Secondary
What grades does Cass Lake-bena Secondary serve?
Cass Lake-bena Secondary serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cass Lake-bena Secondary?
Cass Lake-bena Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Secondary is 10.5:1. 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 Secondary rank in MN?
Cass Lake-bena Secondary is ranked #507 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Cass Lake-bena Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cass Lake-bena Secondary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cass Lake-bena Secondary has 18.2% math proficiency and 41.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cass Lake-bena Secondary a charter school?
No, Cass Lake-bena Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cass Lake-bena Secondary a Title I school?
No, Cass Lake-bena Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cass Lake-bena Secondary?
79.1% of students at Cass Lake-bena 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.
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (218) 335-2203
- 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
- #1 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
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