Average
#1593 of 1,986 schools in MN
Dawson-boyd Secondary
High School · DAWSON-BOYD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
848 CHESTNUT ST, Dawson, MN 56232
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dawson
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#485 of 628
In district
#2 of 2
DAWSON-BOYD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Dawson-boyd Secondary
Dawson-Boyd Secondary is a regular public school located in the remote rural community of Dawson, Minnesota. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 264 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the learning environment is supportive and nurturing.
Academically, Dawson-Boyd Secondary has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1743 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (14th percentile). The school's academic score is 4.3/10, with 57% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA/Reading and 37% proficient or above in Math. While the school’s current performance metrics suggest areas for growth, it remains a vital part of the community, providing essential educational services to its rural setting.
Dawson-Boyd Secondary is deeply rooted in its local area, contributing to the development and well-being of students in a close-knit and supportive environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dawson-boyd 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Dawson-boyd Secondary — Students at Dawson-boyd Secondary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39%
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: 2.5/10.
How Dawson-boyd Secondary Compares
See how Dawson-boyd Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
848 CHESTNUT ST, Dawson, MN 56232
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawson-boyd Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MN River Valley ALC-Seatbased (rated 6.3/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Montevideo), which scores notably higher. Another option is MINNEOTA SECONDARY (rated 6.1/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Minneota), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CANBY SECONDARY (rated 5.8/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Canby), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dawson, see our Dawson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| STEVENS ELEMENTARY Dawson | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY SECONDARY Madison | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Madison | 9.9 mi | 6.9 |
| MADISON-MARIETTA-NASSAU ELEMENTARY Madison | 8.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Appleton-Milan Elementary Appleton | 18.5 mi | 4.9 |
| SCHOOL OF ST PETER Canby | 18.3 mi | 4.6 |
| CANBY ELEMENTARY Canby | 18.3 mi | 7.1 |
| CANBY SECONDARY Canby | 18.6 mi | 5.8 |
| RAMSEY ELEMENTARY Montevideo | 16.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Sanford Elementary School Montevideo | 17.1 mi | 6.5 |
| MN River Valley ALC-Seatbased Montevideo | 17.1 mi | 6.3 |
| MONTEVIDEO SENIOR HIGH Montevideo | 17.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Hawks Nest Early Childhood Center Montevideo | 17.4 mi | — |
| MONTEVIDEO MIDDLE Montevideo | 17.4 mi | 6.2 |
| SWWC ELC - Montevideo Montevideo | 17.8 mi | — |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Minneota | 25.5 mi | 6.2 |
| MINNEOTA ELEMENTARY Minneota | 25.7 mi | 7.2 |
| MINNEOTA SECONDARY Minneota | 25.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Blue Sky Colony - 04 Revillo | 25.3 mi | — |
| LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Cottonwood | 28.7 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56232 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,132
Median Home Value
$163,000
Median Rent
$618/mo
Population
2,365
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
85.4%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawson-boyd Secondary has a median household income of $77,132. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,000, with a median rent of $618/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| AFSA HIGH SCHOOL Vadnais Heights, MN | 5.1 |
| Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Seconda Hector, MN | 5.1 |
| CLEARBROOK-GONVICK SECONDARY Clearbrook, MN | 5.1 |
| MARTIN COUNTY WEST SENIOR HIGH Sherburn, MN | 5.1 |
| SLEEPY EYE SEC. Sleepy Eye, MN | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale, MN | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawson-boyd Secondary
What grades does Dawson-boyd Secondary serve?
Dawson-boyd Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Dawson-boyd Secondary?
Dawson-boyd Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 264 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson-boyd Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawson-boyd Secondary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dawson-boyd Secondary rank in MN?
Dawson-boyd Secondary is ranked #1593 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Dawson-boyd Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson-boyd Secondary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Dawson-boyd Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawson-boyd Secondary has 37.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dawson-boyd Secondary a charter school?
No, Dawson-boyd Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dawson-boyd Secondary a Title I school?
No, Dawson-boyd Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dawson-boyd Secondary?
39.0% of students at Dawson-boyd 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (254/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 264
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lac qui Parle County
- Phone
- (320) 769-2955
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DAWSON-BOYD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 566
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,410
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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