Average
#1541 of 1,986 schools in MN
East Central Senior Secondary
High School · EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
61085 STATE HIGHWAY 23, Finlayson, MN 55735
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Finlayson
#3 of 4
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#460 of 628
In district
#2 of 3
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
About East Central Senior Secondary
East Central Senior Secondary is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Finlayson, Minnesota. Serving students from grade 7 through grade 12, the school has an enrollment of 345 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at East Central Senior Secondary shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #1980 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota.
The school's proficiency rates are 40% in ELA/Reading and 24% in Math, demonstrating areas where students can benefit from additional support. While the academic scores suggest a focus on student development rather than top-tier performance, East Central Senior Secondary provides a supportive environment for its students within this rural community. The school’s setting offers a unique perspective on education, with opportunities for students to engage deeply with their local surroundings and build strong connections within the Finlayson area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, East Central Senior 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
East Central Senior Secondary — Students at East Central Senior Secondary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
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: 3.0/10.
How East Central Senior Secondary Compares
See how East Central Senior Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
61085 STATE HIGHWAY 23, Finlayson, MN 55735
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Central Senior Secondary 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 |
| CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER 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 East Central Senior Secondary 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 |
|---|---|
| ALC School Within a School Duluth, MN | 5.2 |
| BARNUM SECONDARY Barnum, MN | 5.2 |
| BLACKDUCK SECONDARY Blackduck, MN | 5.2 |
| Metro College Prep Minneapolis, MN | 5.2 |
| NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. New London, MN | 5.2 |
| PARK RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Park Rapids, MN | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Central Senior Secondary
What grades does East Central Senior Secondary serve?
East Central Senior Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend East Central Senior Secondary?
East Central Senior Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Central Senior Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at East Central Senior Secondary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Central Senior Secondary rank in MN?
East Central Senior Secondary is ranked #1541 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is East Central Senior Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
East Central Senior Secondary 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 East Central Senior Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Central Senior Secondary has 23.7% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is East Central Senior Secondary a charter school?
No, East Central Senior Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Central Senior Secondary a Title I school?
No, East Central Senior Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Central Senior Secondary?
50.1% of students at East Central Senior 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.
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
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Pine County
- Phone
- (320) 245-6015
- 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
- #2 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.