Needs Improvement
#1965 of 1,986 schools in MN
Kerkhoven Secondary
High School · KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG
PO BOX 168, Kerkhoven, MN 56252
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
3.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
3.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota high schools
#618 of 628
In district
#2 of 2
KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG
About Kerkhoven Secondary
Kerkhoven Secondary, located in the remote rural area of Kerkhooven, Minnesota, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 395 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school offers personalized attention to its learners. The dedicated staff includes 22 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to provide a supportive learning environment despite the challenges posed by limited resources.
Kerkhoven Secondary is currently ranked in the 7th percentile among Minnesota schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.3 out of 10. In recent state assessments, 37% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 35% reached proficiency in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is committed to focusing on student development and growth.
Set against a backdrop of rolling fields and small-town charm, Kerkhoven Secondary benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners as they navigate their academic journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Kerkhoven 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
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Kerkhoven Secondary — Students at Kerkhoven Secondary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
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: 4.0/10.
How Kerkhoven Secondary Compares
See how Kerkhoven Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 168, Kerkhoven, MN 56252
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kerkhoven Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WILLMAR AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 7.1/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Willmar), which scores notably higher. Another option is BENSON SECONDARY (rated 6.2/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Benson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MACCRAY Secondary (rated 5.5/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Clara City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kerkhoven, see our Kerkhoven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MURDOCK ELEMENTARY Murdock | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| MACCRAY Secondary Clara City | 16.6 mi | 5.5 |
| MACCRAY Elementary Clara City | 16.6 mi | 7.5 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Willmar | 13.9 mi | 4.9 |
| JEFFERSON LEARNING CENTER Willmar | 14.0 mi | 7.2 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Willmar | 14.3 mi | 7.8 |
| WILLMAR AREA LEARNING CENTER Willmar | 14.1 mi | 7.1 |
| KENNEDY ELEMENTARY Willmar | 14.3 mi | 7.3 |
| LAKEVIEW SCHOOL Willmar | 14.4 mi | — |
| CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Prinsburg | 19.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Heartland Girls Ranch Benson | 15.6 mi | — |
| WILLMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Willmar | 14.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Middle School ALC Willmar | 14.9 mi | — |
| BENSON SECONDARY Benson | 15.9 mi | 6.2 |
| BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER Benson | 15.9 mi | — |
| SWWC ELC - Willmar Willmar | 15.2 mi | — |
| DREAM Technical Academy Willmar | 15.2 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Benson | 16.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Prairie Lakes Education Center Willmar | 15.5 mi | — |
| Lake Park School Willmar | 15.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56252 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,508
Median Home Value
$195,200
Median Rent
$807/mo
Population
1,305
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kerkhoven Secondary has a median household income of $80,508. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,200, with a median rent of $807/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| REDWOOD VALLEY SENIOR HIGH Redwood Falls, MN | 3.1 |
| HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. Howard Lake, MN | 3.0 |
| MEDFORD SECONDARY Medford, MN | 3.0 |
| Ubah Academy Hopkins, MN | 3.0 |
| BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA SEC. Belgrade, MN | 3.3 |
| LAKE PARK AUDUBON SECONDARY Lake Park, MN | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kerkhoven Secondary
What grades does Kerkhoven Secondary serve?
Kerkhoven Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Kerkhoven Secondary?
Kerkhoven Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 395 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kerkhoven Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Kerkhoven Secondary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kerkhoven Secondary rank in MN?
Kerkhoven Secondary is ranked #1965 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Kerkhoven Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Kerkhoven Secondary has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Kerkhoven Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kerkhoven Secondary has 35.3% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kerkhoven Secondary a charter school?
No, Kerkhoven Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kerkhoven Secondary a Title I school?
No, Kerkhoven Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kerkhoven Secondary?
36.5% of students at Kerkhoven 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (20/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 395
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Swift County
- Phone
- (320) 264-1412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG- District Enrollment
- 797
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,544
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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