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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio4.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,614

First City School — Students at First City School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.1/10
20th percentile in MN
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
4:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,812
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#8 of 11

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 methodology

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