Average
#1132 of 1,992 schools in MN
First City School
School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
3rd – 12th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
3rd – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,132 of 1,992
In Bemidji
#8 of 17
public schools
In district
#6 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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First City School
School in Bemidji · grades 3rd – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Oshki Manidoo Center
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bemidji Regional Interdist. Council
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About First City School
First City School is a public school in Bemidji, MN, part of BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. First City School serves approximately 42 students, and covers grades 3rd-12th, and has a 4.2:1 student-teacher ratio. First City School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,132 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for First City School show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- MN avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 42 students, First City School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at First City School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 4.2:1 students to teachers, First City School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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First City School — Students at First City School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How First City School Compares
See how First City School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First City School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bemidji, see our Bemidji schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 0.4 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 0.5 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 0.8 mi | — |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 1.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 1.1 mi | — |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 2.1 mi | — |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 4.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,782
Median Home Value
$242,400
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
Population
34,700
College Educated
37.8%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
36
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake, MN | 6.0 |
| GLORY ACADEMY Lakeville, MN | 6.0 |
| MPS METRO HA Minneapolis, MN | 6.0 |
| Oakland Education Center Austin, MN | 6.0 |
| CHESTER CREEK ACADEMY Duluth, MN | 5.8 |
| Onamia Academy Onamia, MN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First City School
What grades does First City School serve?
First City School serves students in grades 3rd through 12th.
How many students attend First City School?
First City School has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First City School?
The student-teacher ratio at First City School is 4.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does First City School rank in MN?
First City School ranks #1,132 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is First City School's MySchoolScout rating?
First City School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 First City School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, First City School has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is First City School a charter school?
No, First City School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is First City School a Title I school?
No, First City School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First City School?
92.9% of students at First City School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 12th
- Enrollment
- 42
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Beltrami County
- Phone
- (218) 333-3458
Resources & Links
District
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,812
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #6 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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