Average
#1420 of 1,992 schools in MN
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary
High School · HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 97, Okabena, MN 56161
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,420 of 1,992
In district
#2 of 2
HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Heron Lake-okabena Secondary
High School in Okabena · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Johns Lutheran School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Heron Lake-okabena Elementary
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Heron Lake-okabena Secondary
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary is a public high school in Okabena, MN, part of HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. Heron Lake-okabena Secondary serves approximately 158 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Heron Lake-okabena Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,420 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Heron Lake-okabena Secondary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- MN avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 158 students, Heron Lake-okabena Secondary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Heron Lake-okabena 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.
42% of students at Heron Lake-okabena Secondary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Heron Lake-okabena Secondary — Students at Heron Lake-okabena Secondary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.6/10.
How Heron Lake-okabena Secondary Compares
See how Heron Lake-okabena Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO BOX 97, Okabena, MN 56161
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heron Lake-okabena Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harris-Lake Park High School (rated 8.1/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Lake Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is SWWC ALC - Windom (rated 6.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Windom), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WORTHINGTON SENIOR HIGH (rated 6.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Worthington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Okabena, see our Okabena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Okabena | 0.0 mi | — |
| HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY Heron Lake | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Round Lake-Brewster Elementary Brewster | 8.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Round Lake-Brewster Middle School Brewster | 8.1 mi | 4.9 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield | 8.4 mi | 5.3 |
| PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield | 8.8 mi | 4.9 |
| JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield | 8.8 mi | 5.7 |
| WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom | 13.1 mi | 5.7 |
| WINDOM MIDDLE Windom | 13.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Windom Area Elementary Windom | 13.3 mi | 9.3 |
| SWWC ELC - Windom Windom | 13.3 mi | 7.4 |
| SWWC ALC - Windom Windom | 13.3 mi | 6.6 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom | 13.5 mi | — |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park | 19.8 mi | 3.4 |
| WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Worthington | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 20.4 mi | 8.1 |
| WORTHINGTON SENIOR HIGH Worthington | 16.0 mi | 6.2 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD Worthington | 16.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Worthington | 16.2 mi | 7.8 |
| FULDA ELEMENTARY Fulda | 16.9 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,500
Median Home Value
$108,300
Median Rent
$1,083/mo
Population
343
College Educated
31.9%
Homeownership
95.6%
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
46.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALC Gateway to College Saint Paul, MN | 5.4 |
| NORTHWEST PASSAGE HIGH SCHOOL Coon Rapids, MN | 5.4 |
| Saints Online High School Saint Francis, MN | 5.4 |
| CLIMAX SECONDARY Climax, MN | 5.5 |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECORDING ARTS Saint Paul, MN | 5.5 |
| TRIO WOLF CREEK DISTANCE LEARNING Chisago City, MN | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heron Lake-okabena Secondary
What grades does Heron Lake-okabena Secondary serve?
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Heron Lake-okabena Secondary?
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 158 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heron Lake-okabena Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Heron Lake-okabena 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 Heron Lake-okabena Secondary rank in MN?
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary ranks #1,420 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Heron Lake-okabena Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Heron Lake-okabena Secondary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Heron Lake-okabena Secondary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Heron Lake-okabena Secondary a charter school?
No, Heron Lake-okabena Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Heron Lake-okabena Secondary a Title I school?
No, Heron Lake-okabena Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heron Lake-okabena Secondary?
54.4% of students at Heron Lake-okabena 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 158
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.4%
- Phone
- (507) 853-4507
- 4-Year Graduation
- 80%+
Resources & Links
District
HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 290
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,231
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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