Below Average
#1834 of 1,986 schools in MN
ISD 181 Learning Center
High School · BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
311 10TH AVE NE, Brainerd, MN 56401
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brainerd
#8 of 8
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#583 of 628
In district
#11 of 11
BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
About ISD 181 Learning Center
ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER is an alternative high school located in Brainerd, Minnesota. The school serves students from eighth through twelfth grade with a total enrollment of 159 students and offers personalized learning opportunities tailored to individual needs. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, ISD 181 provides close attention to each student’s academic journey.
Located in a remote town, the school fosters a tight-knit community where teachers work closely with students to ensure their success. ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER focuses on supporting students who may thrive in an alternative educational setting. While the current MySchoolScout rating is low at 2.3 out of 10 and state rankings are near the bottom, the school is dedicated to academic growth and development.
On average, 28% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards in ELA/Reading, while 12% do so in Math. Despite these challenges, ISD 181 continues to provide a supportive environment for its diverse student body. The setting in Brainerd offers a unique community atmosphere where relationships between teachers and students are strong and personalized learning is prioritized.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 159 students, ISD 181 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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ISD 181 Learning Center — Students at ISD 181 Learning Center score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 2.4/10.
How ISD 181 Learning Center Compares
See how ISD 181 Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
311 10TH AVE NE, Brainerd, MN 56401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering ISD 181 Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH (rated 5.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CROSBY-IRONTON SECONDARY (rated 4.9/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Crosby), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH (rated 3.9/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Pequot Lakes), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Brainerd, see our Brainerd schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MIDDLE LEVEL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Brainerd | 0.0 mi | — |
| GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| LOWELL ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| OAK STREET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brainerd | 0.8 mi | — |
| HARRISON ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 0.8 mi | 9.0 |
| ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Discovery Woods Brainerd | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BRAINERD Brainerd | 1.2 mi | — |
| BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH Brainerd | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER Brainerd | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Brainerd | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter | 3.5 mi | 3.3 |
| BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter | 5.1 mi | 5.4 |
| FORESTVIEW MIDDLE Baxter | 5.5 mi | 5.7 |
| BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter | 5.4 mi | 7.1 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 12.2 mi | 9.2 |
| CROSBY-IRONTON SECONDARY Crosby | 12.8 mi | 4.9 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 17.0 mi | 7.1 |
| CUYUNA RANGE ELEMENTARY Crosby | 14.1 mi | 9.2 |
| PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes | 17.8 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,269
Median Home Value
$237,900
Median Rent
$918/mo
Population
31,749
College Educated
24.1%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding ISD 181 Learning Center has a median household income of $70,269. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,900, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| 5RiversOnline Secondary Red Wing, MN | 4.3 |
| Banaadir Secondary Minneapolis, MN | 4.5 |
| GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids, MN | 4.5 |
| Saints Online High School Saint Francis, MN | 4.6 |
| Albert Lea Area Learning Center Albert Lea, MN | 3.9 |
| BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield, MN | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISD 181 Learning Center
What grades does ISD 181 Learning Center serve?
ISD 181 Learning Center serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend ISD 181 Learning Center?
ISD 181 Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at ISD 181 Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at ISD 181 Learning Center is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does ISD 181 Learning Center rank in MN?
ISD 181 Learning Center is ranked #1834 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is ISD 181 Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
ISD 181 Learning Center has a composite rating of 4.3 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 ISD 181 Learning Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, ISD 181 Learning Center has 12.5% math proficiency and 28.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is ISD 181 Learning Center a charter school?
No, ISD 181 Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is ISD 181 Learning Center a Title I school?
No, ISD 181 Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for ISD 181 Learning Center?
61.0% of students at ISD 181 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,217/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brainerd). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 159
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Crow Wing County
- Phone
- (218) 454-5400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 6,134
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,608
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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