Average
#1542 of 1,986 schools in MN
Crossroads Area Learning Center
High School · EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
61085 STATE HIGHWAY 23, Finlayson, MN 55735
Enrollment
38
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
38
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Finlayson
#4 of 4
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#461 of 628
In district
#3 of 3
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Crossroads Area Learning Center
CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER is an alternative school located in the rural community of Finlayson, Minnesota. Nestled along State Highway 23, this small institution serves students from seventh through twelfth grade with a total enrollment of just 38 students. As an alternative learning environment, CROSSROADS focuses on providing personalized education to meet diverse student needs.
Academically, the school is ranked at the 7th percentile statewide and has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10, indicating there's room for growth in test performance. Students here score around 25% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 20% proficient or above in Math, suggesting that while the school is still developing its academic programs, it prioritizes individual student development over standardized testing. CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER sits in a remote rural setting where community bonds are strong.
Its unique approach to education makes it an appealing option for families seeking tailored support and alternative pathways for their children's learning journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 38 students, Crossroads Area Learning Center 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 Crossroads Area Learning Center 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, Crossroads Area Learning Center 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
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Crossroads Area Learning Center — Students at Crossroads Area Learning Center score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 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: 7.1/10.
How Crossroads Area Learning Center Compares
See how Crossroads Area Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2021) to 25% (2022).
Location
61085 STATE HIGHWAY 23, Finlayson, MN 55735
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Crossroads Area Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY (rated 6.9/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Willow River), which scores notably higher. Another option is PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 6.3/10, 26.3 miles away, in nearby Pine City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY (rated 6.1/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Hinckley), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Finlayson, see our Finlayson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Finlayson | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY Finlayson | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY Willow River | 9.6 mi | 4.3 |
| WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY Willow River | 9.6 mi | 6.9 |
| HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY Hinckley | 12.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Pine County Transition Program Hinckley | 12.4 mi | — |
| HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY Hinckley | 12.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Empower Learning Center Hinckley | 12.4 mi | — |
| MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY Moose Lake | 17.6 mi | 7.9 |
| MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY Moose Lake | 17.6 mi | 5.7 |
| MCF-MOOSE LAKE/WILLOW RIVER Moose Lake | 18.3 mi | — |
| BARNUM ELEMENTARY Barnum | 23.5 mi | 5.8 |
| BARNUM SECONDARY Barnum | 23.7 mi | 5.2 |
| PINE CITY ELEMENTARY Pine City | 25.6 mi | 6.7 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD Pine City | 25.6 mi | — |
| Vision Pine City | 26.0 mi | — |
| PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER Pine City | 26.3 mi | 6.3 |
| PINE CITY SECONDARY Pine City | 26.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Grantsburg High Grantsburg | 29.2 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55735 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,125
Median Home Value
$233,500
Median Rent
$968/mo
Population
1,802
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
92.4%
Avg Commute
35.1 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
52.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Crossroads Area Learning Center has a median household income of $62,125. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,500, with a median rent of $968/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Riverside Academy IS Cambridge, MN | 5.2 |
| 199 Online High School Inver Grove Heights, MN | 5.3 |
| E.C.H.O. Secondary Echo, MN | 5.3 |
| Wellstone International High - SWS Minneapolis, MN | 5.3 |
| School #527 Hopkins, MN | 5.1 |
| Compass Learning Center New Prague, MN | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Crossroads Area Learning Center
What grades does Crossroads Area Learning Center serve?
Crossroads Area Learning Center serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Crossroads Area Learning Center?
Crossroads Area Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.
How does Crossroads Area Learning Center rank in MN?
Crossroads Area Learning Center is ranked #1542 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Crossroads Area Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Crossroads Area Learning Center has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Crossroads Area Learning Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Crossroads Area Learning Center has 20.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Crossroads Area Learning Center a charter school?
No, Crossroads Area Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Crossroads Area Learning Center a Title I school?
No, Crossroads Area Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Crossroads Area Learning Center?
81.6% of students at Crossroads Area Learning Center 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,329/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Pine County
- Phone
- (320) 245-6016
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 765
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,185
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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