Average
#889 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 45% in state
Deer River Secondary
High School · DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 307, Deer River, MN 56636
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#889 of 1,992
In Deer River
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Deer River Secondary
High School in Deer River · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Deer River High School Alp
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Deer River Schools Sped
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Deer River Secondary
Deer River Secondary is a public high school in Deer River, MN, part of DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Deer River Secondary serves approximately 438 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Deer River Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #889 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Deer River Secondary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- MN avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Deer River Secondary 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.
36% of students at Deer River Secondary 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Deer River Secondary — Students at Deer River Secondary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 5.2/10.
How Deer River Secondary Compares
See how Deer River Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO BOX 307, Deer River, MN 56636
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Deer River Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH (rated 8.7/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.8/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTHLAND SECONDARY (rated 5.9/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Remer), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Deer River, see our Deer River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Deer River High School ALP Deer River | 0.0 mi | — |
| Deer River Schools SPED Deer River | 0.2 mi | — |
| KING ELEMENTARY Deer River | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset | 9.4 mi | 7.7 |
| West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids | 13.2 mi | 8.4 |
| GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids | 13.2 mi | 7.8 |
| GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids | 14.1 mi | 5.7 |
| GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids | 14.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 14.4 mi | 7.6 |
| MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids | 14.4 mi | — |
| East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids | 14.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Northland Elementary Remer | 19.9 mi | 3.5 |
| NORTHLAND SECONDARY Remer | 19.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids | 15.6 mi | 6.6 |
| LITTLE SAND Remer | 19.4 mi | — |
| GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine | 17.4 mi | 6.1 |
| GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine | 17.4 mi | 8.7 |
| VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine | 17.5 mi | 6.7 |
| HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City | 25.2 mi | 5.6 |
| HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City | 25.2 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56636 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,858
Median Home Value
$195,200
Median Rent
$690/mo
Population
4,679
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
87.8%
Avg Commute
29.1 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
47.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA SEC. Belgrade, MN | 6.4 |
| STEP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 6.4 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena, MN | 6.4 |
| Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth, MN | 6.5 |
| PARK RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Park Rapids, MN | 6.5 |
| STEWARTVILLE SENIOR HIGH Stewartville, MN | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Deer River Secondary
What grades does Deer River Secondary serve?
Deer River Secondary serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Deer River Secondary?
Deer River Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 438 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Deer River Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Deer River Secondary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Deer River Secondary rank in MN?
Deer River Secondary ranks #889 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Deer River Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Deer River Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Deer River Secondary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Deer River Secondary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Deer River Secondary a charter school?
No, Deer River Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Deer River Secondary a Title I school?
No, Deer River Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Deer River Secondary?
64.8% of students at Deer River 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 438
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Itasca County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.6%
- Phone
- (218) 246-8241
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.5%
Resources & Links
District
DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 852
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,593
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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