Skip to main content

Average

#154 of 318 private schools in MN

Top 48% of private schools

Foothills Christian Academy

School

210 FIRST AVE E, Backus, MN 56435

Private Estimated Score

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

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,148
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 13%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 42
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)

White 92.9%
Two or More 7.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related 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.