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Very Good

#478 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 24% in state

Gordon Parks High School

High School · Saint Paul Public Schools

1212 UNIVERSITY AVE, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Enrollment

181

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saint Paul

#27 of 125

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#78 of 628

In district

#19 of 68

Saint Paul Public Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Gordon Parks High School

Gordon Parks High School is an alternative high school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, nestled along University Avenue. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school offers a unique educational environment with an enrollment of 181 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. The school prides itself on its dedicated staff, with eleven full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting each student’s individual needs.

Gordon Parks High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10, placing it in the 58th percentile among Minnesota schools. Academically, the school focuses on fostering development across all subjects; however, students have room for improvement in math proficiency, with only 15% reaching or exceeding proficiency levels. The setting offers a vibrant urban backdrop that provides numerous opportunities for cultural and educational enrichment beyond the classroom.

Whether it’s visiting museums, attending performances at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, or exploring local parks, Gordon Parks High School is part of a dynamic community in Saint Paul.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 181 students, Gordon Parks High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+6.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,457

Gordon Parks High School — Students at Gordon Parks High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
2022
Math
25%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Gordon Parks High School Compares

See how Gordon Parks High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
76th percentile in MN
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

1212 UNIVERSITY AVE, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gordon Parks High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. A. G. A. P. E. TEEN PARENT (rated 7.7/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Career Pathways (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GREAT RIVER SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Saint Paul, see our Saint Paul schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECORDING ARTS Saint Paul 0.1 mi 6.1
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Saint Paul 0.4 mi 6.4
ST PETER CLAVER SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.4 mi 8.1
A. G. A. P. E. TEEN PARENT Saint Paul 0.4 mi 7.7
HGA Elementary Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.8
The Journey School Saint Paul 0.7 mi 3.0
The Journey School Middle Saint Paul 0.7 mi
FRIENDS SCHOOL OF MINNESOTA Saint Paul 0.7 mi 7.3
JJ HILL MONTESSORI Saint Paul 0.8 mi 6.4
Career Pathways Saint Paul 0.9 mi 7.1
ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Saint Paul 1.0 mi 7.8
Minnesota Connections Academy 7-12 Saint Paul 1.0 mi 3.4
Minnesota Connections Academy K-6 Saint Paul 1.0 mi 4.2
GREAT RIVER SCHOOL Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.6
Great River Elementary School Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.3
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF ST. PAUL AT MERRIAM PARK Saint Paul 0.9 mi
MAXFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.8 mi 7.5
CHILDREN'S CENTER MONTESSORI INC. Saint Paul 0.9 mi
New Century School Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.2
New Century School Secondary Saint Paul 1.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,038

Median Home Value

$290,900

Median Rent

$1,159/mo

Population

45,777

College Educated

52.1%

Homeownership

53.9%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

32.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gordon Parks High School has a median household income of $75,038. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,900, with a median rent of $1,159/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School Anoka, MN 7.4
ONE91 Virtual Academy Secondary Burnsville, MN 7.4
6-12th Grade Building Graceville, MN 7.3
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake, MN 7.3
EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron, MN 7.3
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills, MN 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gordon Parks High School

What grades does Gordon Parks High School serve?

Gordon Parks High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Gordon Parks High School?

Gordon Parks High School has an enrollment of approximately 181 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gordon Parks High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gordon Parks High School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gordon Parks High School rank in MN?

Gordon Parks High School is ranked #478 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Gordon Parks High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gordon Parks High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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.

What are the test scores at Gordon Parks High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gordon Parks High School has 15.0% math proficiency.

Is Gordon Parks High School a charter school?

No, Gordon Parks High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gordon Parks High School a Title I school?

No, Gordon Parks High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gordon Parks High School?

86.2% of students at Gordon Parks High 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

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable
County Safety
Low (197/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Ramsey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saint Paul Public Schools
District Enrollment
32,145
Schools in District
102
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,634
District Rank
#19 of 68

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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