Average
#154 of 318 private schools in MN
Top 48% of private schools
Foothills Christian Academy
School
210 FIRST AVE E, Backus, MN 56435
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MN statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#44 of 63
About Foothills Christian Academy
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY is a small, tight-knit school located in Backus, Minnesota, serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With an enrollment of just 42 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to every child. The dedicated staff includes six full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students to ensure they receive individualized support.
While specific test score data is not available, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY holds its own among Minnesota schools, ranking at number 141 out of 318, which places it in the 56th percentile. This suggests that while there may be room for academic growth, the school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where students can develop their skills and talents. Set against the backdrop of a remote rural area, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY is deeply rooted in its community, offering a unique blend of small-town charm and educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 42 students, Foothills Christian Academy 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 7.6:1, Foothills Christian Academy 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.
As a private school, Foothills Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $7,431
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $7,174
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.97x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 15%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $128,732
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 42 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MN.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MN
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
210 FIRST AVE E, Backus, MN 56435
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foothills Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. NISSWA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Nisswa), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAPORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEVIS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Nevis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Backus, see our Backus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pine River-Backus ALP Pine River | 8.3 mi | 6.0 |
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL Pine River | 8.4 mi | 5.8 |
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY Pine River | 8.5 mi | 5.7 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walker | 15.8 mi | — |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 17.2 mi | — |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 19.1 mi | 6.3 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 19.2 mi | 5.6 |
| PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes | 18.1 mi | 3.9 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes | 18.1 mi | 4.1 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 19.5 mi | 7.1 |
| NEVIS ELEMENTARY Nevis | 18.4 mi | 7.5 |
| NEVIS SECONDARY Nevis | 18.4 mi | 7.3 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 23.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake | 21.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community 6-12 Online Crosslake | 21.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community K-5 Online Crosslake | 21.9 mi | — |
| LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte | 29.1 mi | 7.8 |
| LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte | 29.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Laporte Middle School Laporte | 29.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager | 33.3 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56435 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,542
Median Home Value
$230,100
Median Rent
$944/mo
Population
2,912
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
91.6%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
51.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foothills Christian Academy has a median household income of $63,542. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,100, with a median rent of $944/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| FUTURES PROGRAM North Mankato, MN | 6.5 |
| MPS Metro DT Minneapolis, MN | 6.6 |
| Oakland Education Center Austin, MN | 6.6 |
| 917 IDEA Rosemount, MN | 6.2 |
| ALTONA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Henderson, MN | 6.1 |
| ZUMBRO ED. DIST. FUTURES/CHOICE Kasson, MN | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foothills Christian Academy
What grades does Foothills Christian Academy serve?
Foothills Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Foothills Christian Academy?
Foothills Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foothills Christian Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Foothills Christian Academy is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Foothills Christian Academy rank in MN?
Foothills Christian Academy is ranked #154 out of 318 private schools in MN.
What is Foothills Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Foothills Christian Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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.
Is Foothills Christian Academy a private school?
Yes, Foothills Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Foothills Christian Academy a religious school?
Foothills Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 42
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 164 days
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- CASS
- Phone
- (218) 947-3277
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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