Average
#1275 of 1,986 schools in MN
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
5.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Deer River
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#356 of 628
In district
#2 of 2
DEER RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Deer River Secondary
Deer River Secondary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Deer River, Minnesota. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 438 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 29 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide a supportive and engaging educational environment.
Academically, Deer River Secondary ranks in the 30th percentile among Minnesota schools, reflecting areas where there is room for improvement but also opportunities for growth. On standardized tests, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 22% reach proficiency in Math. These scores highlight challenges but also underscore the school's commitment to student development and support.
The rural setting around Deer River offers a close-knit community where neighbors often know each other well. Deer River Secondary is an integral part of this tight-knit area, fostering connections between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Deer River 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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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 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: 4.1/10.
How Deer River Secondary Compares
See how Deer River Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 40% (2022).
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 7.9/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Hill City), which scores notably higher. 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 | 8.2 |
| COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset | 9.4 mi | 7.3 |
| West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids | 13.2 mi | 8.2 |
| GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids | 13.2 mi | 7.2 |
| GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids | 14.1 mi | 7.1 |
| GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids | 14.1 mi | 4.5 |
| ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 14.4 mi | 6.7 |
| MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids | 14.4 mi | — |
| East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids | 14.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Northland Elementary Remer | 19.9 mi | 4.4 |
| NORTHLAND SECONDARY Remer | 19.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids | 15.6 mi | 7.5 |
| LITTLE SAND Remer | 19.4 mi | — |
| GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine | 17.4 mi | 5.0 |
| GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine | 17.4 mi | 7.9 |
| VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine | 17.5 mi | 7.0 |
| HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City | 25.2 mi | 8.8 |
| HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City | 25.2 mi | 7.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Deer River Secondary has a median household income of $59,858. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,200, with a median rent of $690/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| CANBY SECONDARY Canby, MN | 5.8 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron, MN | 5.8 |
| CONCORDIA ACADEMY Roseville, MN | 5.8 |
| FALLS SECONDARY International Falls, MN | 5.8 |
| MONTEVIDEO SENIOR HIGH Montevideo, MN | 5.8 |
| Minnesota Virtual Schools Roseville, MN | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #1275 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Deer River Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Deer River Secondary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Deer River Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deer River Secondary has 22.3% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,329/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Deer River). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 246-8241
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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