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Below Average

#1798 of 1,986 schools in MN

Grand Rapids Area Learning Center

High School · GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

601 SW 7TH ST, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Enrollment

127

Student-Teacher

31.8:1

Score

4.5

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#7 of 7

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#570 of 628

In district

#10 of 10

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Grand Rapids Area Learning Center

GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER is an alternative high school located in the remote town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The school serves students from eighth to twelfth grade and has a total enrollment of 127 students. With only four full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio stands at 31.8:1.

Academically, GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER is rated 2.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it as the 1954th school out of 2027 in Minnesota, placing it in the bottom 4th percentile. The ELA and reading proficiency rate for students at the school is 20% or above, while only 7% are proficient in math. Despite its current academic standing, GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER offers a unique setting that caters to diverse learning needs in a small-town environment.

Located on SW 7th Street, it provides an alternative education pathway for students who may thrive outside of traditional classroom settings. The school is situated in the heart of Grand Rapids, where community support and resources play crucial roles in student development. GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER offers a nurturing educational experience within its remote setting, focusing on personalized learning opportunities for each student.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 127 students, Grand Rapids Area Learning Center 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.

While current test scores at Grand Rapids Area Learning Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Grand Rapids Area Learning Center is 31.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-20.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio31.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,334

Grand Rapids Area Learning Center — Students at Grand Rapids Area Learning Center score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
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
5%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
5%
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: 7.2/10.

How Grand Rapids Area Learning Center Compares

See how Grand Rapids Area Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in MN
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
32:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

601 SW 7TH ST, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grand Rapids Area Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.9/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Hill City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids 0.0 mi 7.1
GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 7.2
West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 8.2
ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 6.7
MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids 1.7 mi
East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 8.6
ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.5
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset 4.7 mi 7.3
VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine 6.8 mi 7.0
GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine 6.8 mi 5.0
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine 6.8 mi 7.9
BLACKBERRY SDA SCHOOL Grand Rapids 7.6 mi
HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City 16.4 mi 8.8
HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City 16.4 mi 7.2
Hill City Middle School Hill City 16.4 mi 4.8
MARBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Marble 13.0 mi
KING ELEMENTARY Deer River 13.6 mi 8.2
Deer River Schools SPED Deer River 13.9 mi
DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River 14.1 mi 5.8
Deer River High School ALP Deer River 14.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55744 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,213

Median Home Value

$232,700

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

20,469

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grand Rapids Area Learning Center has a median household income of $68,213. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,700, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. 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
Banaadir Secondary Minneapolis, MN 4.5
Saints Online High School Saint Francis, MN 4.6
Austin Online Academy Austin, MN 4.3
BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield, MN 4.7
ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER Brainerd, MN 4.3
LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte, MN 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grand Rapids Area Learning Center

What grades does Grand Rapids Area Learning Center serve?

Grand Rapids Area Learning Center serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Grand Rapids Area Learning Center?

Grand Rapids Area Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 127 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grand Rapids Area Learning Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Grand Rapids Area Learning Center is 31.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grand Rapids Area Learning Center rank in MN?

Grand Rapids Area Learning Center is ranked #1798 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Grand Rapids Area Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Grand Rapids Area Learning Center has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Grand Rapids Area Learning Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grand Rapids Area Learning Center has 6.7% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grand Rapids Area Learning Center a charter school?

No, Grand Rapids Area Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Grand Rapids Area Learning Center a Title I school?

No, Grand Rapids Area Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grand Rapids Area Learning Center?

72.4% of students at Grand Rapids Area Learning Center 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
Elevated (1,121/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher Ratio
31.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Town
County
Itasca County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,024
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#10 of 10

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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