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Below Average

#1784 of 1,986 schools in MN

Central Lakes Adventure School

High School · Central Lakes Adventure School

BOX 130, Pillager, MN 56473

Charter

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pillager

#4 of 4

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#566 of 628

School environment

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Central Lakes Adventure School

Central Lakes Adventure School is a charter high school located in Pillager, Cass County, Minnesota. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of just 40 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student.

Central Lakes Adventure School has three full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with their small group of learners. The academic performance at Central Lakes Adventure School currently ranks in the lower percentile among Minnesota schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.8 out of 10. The proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are 37%, while Math proficiency is slightly lower at 25%.

While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school’s small size allows teachers to tailor instruction and support to meet individual student needs effectively. Central Lakes Adventure School sits in a rural setting where students can benefit from natural surroundings and community engagement. The school's unique location offers opportunities for outdoor learning experiences that complement traditional classroom education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Central Lakes Adventure School 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.

Central Lakes Adventure School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Central Lakes Adventure School 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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-10.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,717

Central Lakes Adventure School — Students at Central Lakes Adventure School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
10%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Central Lakes Adventure School Compares

See how Central Lakes Adventure School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in MN
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

BOX 130, Pillager, MN 56473

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Lakes Adventure School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pillager Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH (rated 5.4/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Brainerd), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH (rated 3.9/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Pequot Lakes), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pillager, see our Pillager schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.8 mi
School Distance Rating
PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager 1.2 mi 8.3
Pillager Senior High School Pillager 1.2 mi 7.2
Pillager Middle School Pillager 1.2 mi 5.8
BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter 9.5 mi 7.1
FORESTVIEW MIDDLE Baxter 9.9 mi 5.7
BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter 10.3 mi 5.4
LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter 11.4 mi 3.3
KNIGHT ELEMENTARY Randall 17.5 mi 6.5
NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa 15.6 mi 9.2
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Brainerd 13.0 mi 5.3
LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER Brainerd 13.4 mi 6.5
BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH Brainerd 13.5 mi 5.4
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BRAINERD Brainerd 13.7 mi
Discovery Woods Brainerd 13.8 mi 7.6
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd 13.8 mi 5.3
HARRISON ELEMENTARY Brainerd 14.3 mi 9.0
LOWELL ELEMENTARY Brainerd 14.4 mi 8.5
PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes 19.6 mi 3.9
PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes 19.6 mi 4.1
SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples 14.8 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56473 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,236

Median Home Value

$262,500

Median Rent

$1,008/mo

Population

3,452

College Educated

23.7%

Homeownership

87.9%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Lakes Adventure School has a median household income of $79,236. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $262,500, with a median rent of $1,008/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
BAIS YAAKOV HIGH SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN 4.6
La Crescent Sec Montessori/STEM La Crescent, MN 4.6
Princeton Online MN Princeton, MN 4.4
BECKER ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM Becker, MN 4.7
MORA ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER Mora, MN 4.8
SWWC ALC - Pipestone Pipestone, MN 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Lakes Adventure School

What grades does Central Lakes Adventure School serve?

Central Lakes Adventure School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Central Lakes Adventure School?

Central Lakes Adventure School has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Lakes Adventure School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Lakes Adventure School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Lakes Adventure School rank in MN?

Central Lakes Adventure School is ranked #1784 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Central Lakes Adventure School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Lakes Adventure School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Central Lakes Adventure School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Lakes Adventure School has 25.0% math proficiency and 36.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Lakes Adventure School a charter school?

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

Is Central Lakes Adventure School a Title I school?

No, Central Lakes Adventure School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Lakes Adventure School?

72.5% of students at Central Lakes Adventure 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

County Safety
Average (495/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Lakes Adventure School
District Enrollment
40
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,158
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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