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Very Good

#639 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 32% in state

Kelliher Secondary

High School · KELLIHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOX 259, Kelliher, MN 56650

Enrollment

159

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kelliher

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#136 of 628

In district

#2 of 2

KELLIHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Kelliher Secondary

Kelliher Secondary, located in the remote rural area of Kelliher, Minnesota, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 159 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student's needs. The academic performance at Kelliher Secondary reflects that there is room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and state ranking of 922 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota.

In terms of proficiency rates, 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 29% meet the same standard in Math. Despite these challenges, Kelliher Secondary continues to focus on student development and strives to provide a supportive learning environment in its rural setting. The school is part of the Beltrami County community and plays an important role in offering educational opportunities to students in this remote area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 159 students, Kelliher Secondary 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.

Located in a rural area, Kelliher Secondary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,316

Kelliher Secondary — Students at Kelliher Secondary score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.7%
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
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
42%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Kelliher Secondary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
68th percentile in MN
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

BOX 259, Kelliher, MN 56650

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kelliher Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 37.6 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), with a very similar rating. Another option is Voyageurs Expeditionary School (rated 5.6/10, 36.2 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), a more accessible option. Additionally, NORTHOME SECONDARY (rated 5.2/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Northome), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kelliher, see our Kelliher schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 38.1 mi
School Distance Rating
KELLIHER ELEMENTARY Kelliher 0.0 mi 7.5
NORTHOME SECONDARY Northome 10.7 mi 5.2
NORTHOME ELEMENTARY Northome 10.7 mi 7.7
BLACKDUCK ELEMENTARY Blackduck 15.4 mi 5.7
BLACKDUCK SECONDARY Blackduck 15.4 mi 5.2
PONEMAH ELEMENTARY Ponemah 21.9 mi 5.3
NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 33.7 mi 4.6
Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji 36.2 mi 5.6
Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji 36.2 mi 3.8
Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji 36.3 mi 8.3
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 37.8 mi 7.5
J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji 37.5 mi 6.9
ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji 38.1 mi 4.8
TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji 37.6 mi 6.9
Trek North Middle School Bemidji 37.6 mi 2.6
ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji 37.2 mi 3.5
Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji 38.2 mi
OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji 38.2 mi
BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji 38.1 mi 6.3
BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji 38.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,750

Median Home Value

$183,900

Median Rent

$575/mo

Population

932

College Educated

29.2%

Homeownership

91.6%

Avg Commute

33.2 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

49.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kelliher Secondary has a median household income of $78,750. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,900, with a median rent of $575/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
BETHLEHEM ACADEMY Faribault, MN 7.1
Career Pathways Saint Paul, MN 7.1
FISHER SECONDARY Fisher, MN 7.1
FOCUS BEYOND Saint Paul, MN 7.1
MINNESOTA NEW COUNTRY SCHOOL Henderson, MN 7.1
TRANSITION PLUS Apple Valley, MN 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kelliher Secondary

What grades does Kelliher Secondary serve?

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

How many students attend Kelliher Secondary?

Kelliher Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kelliher Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Kelliher Secondary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kelliher Secondary rank in MN?

Kelliher Secondary is ranked #639 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Kelliher Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Kelliher Secondary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Kelliher Secondary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kelliher Secondary has 28.7% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kelliher Secondary a charter school?

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

Is Kelliher Secondary a Title I school?

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

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

67.3% of students at Kelliher 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (444/100K)

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
159
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Beltrami County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

KELLIHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
328
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,699
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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