Average
#1585 of 1,986 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
5.1
Grades
3rd – 12th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
3rd – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bemidji
#12 of 17
public schools
Minnesota schools
#111 of 116
In district
#8 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About First City School
FIRST CITY SCHOOL is an alternative school in Bemidji, Minnesota, nestled in Beltrami County. The school serves students from third grade through twelfth grade and has a total enrollment of 42 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 4.2:1, FIRST CITY SCHOOL provides individualized attention to each student.
There are ten full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of the student body. FIRST CITY SCHOOL stands out for its focus on alternative education methods and community engagement, although it currently ranks #1814 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota according to MySchoolScout’s rating system, indicating room for academic growth. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 30%, while the Math proficiency stands at 10%.
These scores suggest an emphasis on student development and support beyond traditional metrics. Bemidji is a remote town offering a close-knit community environment where FIRST CITY SCHOOL plays an important role in providing educational opportunities tailored to its students’ unique needs.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 42 students, First City School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.2:1, First City School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView 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: 16%).
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 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 First City School Compares
See how First City School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 6.3 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 0.8 mi | — |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 1.0 mi | 2.6 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 1.1 mi | — |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 2.1 mi | — |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 4.4 mi | 4.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding First City School has a median household income of $69,782. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,400, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL, NA Saint Vincent, MN | 4.8 |
| Reach Programs Red Wing, MN | 4.8 |
| STERLING NORTH - PEMBINA CAMPUS Saint Vincent, MN | 4.8 |
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake, MN | 6.0 |
| GLORY ACADEMY Lakeville, MN | 6.0 |
| ALTONA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson, MN | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1585 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is First City School's MySchoolScout rating?
First City School 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 First City School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, First City School has 10.0% math proficiency and 29.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,419/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bemidji). Data >1 year old.
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
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,812
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #8 of 11
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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