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Excellent

#65 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 3% in state

Fosston Secondary

High School · FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

301 1ST ST E, Fosston, MN 56542

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

8.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#65 of 1,992

In Fosston

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Fosston Secondary

8.7/10

High School in Fosston · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Magelssen Elementary

6.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Win-e-mac Elementary

8.8/10

12.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fosston Secondary

Fosston Secondary is a public high school in Fosston, MN, part of FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Fosston Secondary serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Fosston Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #65 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Fosston Secondary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.5 pts above MN schools
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Fosston Secondary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,098
Chronic Absenteeism25.5%

Fosston Secondary — Students at Fosston Secondary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Fosston Secondary Compares

See how Fosston Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
97th percentile in MN
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Sports
15
8 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics15sports offered
8 boys'·7 girls'·22 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

301 1ST ST E, Fosston, MN 56542

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fosston Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Red Lake County Central High School (rated 8.2/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Oklee), with a comparable rating. Another option is WIN-E-MAC SECONDARY (rated 6.7/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Erskine), a more accessible option. Additionally, CLEARBROOK-GONVICK SECONDARY (rated 6.0/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Clearbrook), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fosston, see our Fosston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MAGELSSEN ELEMENTARY Fosston 0.3 mi 6.9
WIN-E-MAC ELEMENTARY Erskine 12.6 mi 8.8
WIN-E-MAC SECONDARY Erskine 12.6 mi 6.7
RLCC Elementary at Oklee Oklee 19.0 mi
Red Lake County Central High School Oklee 19.0 mi 8.2
BAGLEY ALP Bagley 15.7 mi
NAYTAHWAUSH COMMUNITY SCHOOL Naytahwaush 22.4 mi 7.3
CLEARBROOK-GONVICK ELEMENTARY Clearbrook 17.2 mi 8.1
CLEARBROOK-GONVICK SECONDARY Clearbrook 17.2 mi 6.0
MAHNOMEN SECONDARY Mahnomen 20.8 mi 4.8
MAHNOMEN AREA LEARNING CENTER Mahnomen 20.8 mi 5.0
MAHNOMEN ELEMENTARY Mahnomen 20.9 mi 5.1
ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Mahnomen 21.0 mi 7.0
BAGLEY ELEMENTARY Bagley 16.6 mi 4.9
BAGLEY SECONDARY Bagley 16.7 mi 4.5
F.H.L. ACADEMY Bagley 17.2 mi 7.1
WAUBUN ELEMENTARY Waubun 28.7 mi 6.7
WAUBUN SECONDARY Waubun 28.7 mi 5.6
Waubun ALC Waubun 28.7 mi 4.2
Red Lake County Central Elementary Plummer 26.8 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,750

Median Home Value

$176,800

Median Rent

$800/mo

Population

2,435

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

16.1 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

45

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine, MN 8.7
LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL Rochester, MN 8.7
MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake, MN 8.7
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills, MN 8.6
MINNEOTA SECONDARY Minneota, MN 8.8
HANCOCK SEC. Hancock, MN 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fosston Secondary

What grades does Fosston Secondary serve?

Fosston Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Fosston Secondary?

Fosston Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fosston Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fosston Secondary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fosston Secondary rank in MN?

Fosston Secondary ranks #65 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Fosston Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fosston Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Fosston Secondary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fosston Secondary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Fosston Secondary a charter school?

No, Fosston Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fosston Secondary a Title I school?

No, Fosston Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fosston Secondary?

54.7% of students at Fosston Secondary 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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.5%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
618
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,098
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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