Needs Improvement
#1943 of 1,986 schools in MN
Mesabi East Secondary
High School · MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT
601 N 1ST ST W, Aurora, MN 55705
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
395
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aurora
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#609 of 628
In district
#2 of 2
MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Mesabi East Secondary
MESABI EAST SECONDARY is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Aurora, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, MESABI EAST SECONDARY has an enrollment of 395 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting is quite unique, offering a close-knit community feel in its isolated rural location.
MESABI EAST SECONDARY currently ranks as the 1932nd out of 2027 schools in Minnesota based on MySchoolScout’s ranking system, which places it at the 5th percentile. The academic performance is reflective of this standing, with a rating of 2.9/10 and an academic score of 3.1/10. In terms of proficiency scores, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 22% reach that mark in Math.
Despite the challenges highlighted by these statistics, MESABI EAST SECONDARY remains committed to supporting its students through various educational initiatives and community programs. The school is situated in a setting that fosters strong connections within the local community, making it an integral part of Aurora's rural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mesabi East 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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Mesabi East Secondary — Students at Mesabi East Secondary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
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: 3.5/10.
How Mesabi East Secondary Compares
See how Mesabi East Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
601 N 1ST ST W, Aurora, MN 55705
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mesabi East Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 (rated 7.3/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Virginia), which scores notably higher. Another option is EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE (rated 7.3/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Mountain Iron), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 31.0 miles away, in nearby Ely), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 31.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MESABI EAST ELEMENTARY Aurora | 0.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Vermilion Country School Tower | 18.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Tower-Soudan Elementary Tower | 19.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Laurentian Elementary Eveleth | 13.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia | 13.6 mi | 5.2 |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia | 13.8 mi | 6.0 |
| North Star Elementary Eveleth | 14.3 mi | 7.2 |
| NLC Transition Program Virginia | 14.1 mi | — |
| Parkview Elementary Virginia | 14.4 mi | 6.2 |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 020 Virginia | 14.7 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia | 14.7 mi | 7.3 |
| BABBITT ELEMENTARY Babbitt | 18.2 mi | 4.6 |
| NORTHEAST RANGE SECONDARY Babbitt | 18.2 mi | 5.0 |
| EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron | 16.2 mi | 7.3 |
| MERRITT ELEMENTARY Mountain Iron | 16.5 mi | 7.7 |
| MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron | 16.5 mi | 4.8 |
| CHERRY ELEMENTARY Iron | 23.6 mi | 7.6 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron | 23.6 mi | 5.8 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Ely | 31.0 mi | 6.4 |
| MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Ely | 31.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,047
Median Home Value
$124,600
Median Rent
$471/mo
Population
3,248
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
85.3%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
56.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mesabi East Secondary has a median household income of $54,047. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,600, with a median rent of $471/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| ST. CLAIR SECONDARY Saint Clair, MN | 3.5 |
| ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA SENIOR HIGH Zumbrota, MN | 3.5 |
| LAKE PARK AUDUBON SECONDARY Lake Park, MN | 3.4 |
| ST. CHARLES SECONDARY Saint Charles, MN | 3.6 |
| Saint Paul Online High School Saint Paul, MN | 3.4 |
| BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA SEC. Belgrade, MN | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mesabi East Secondary
What grades does Mesabi East Secondary serve?
Mesabi East Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Mesabi East Secondary?
Mesabi East Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 395 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mesabi East Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mesabi East Secondary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mesabi East Secondary rank in MN?
Mesabi East Secondary is ranked #1943 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Mesabi East Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mesabi East Secondary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Mesabi East Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mesabi East Secondary has 21.7% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mesabi East Secondary a charter school?
No, Mesabi East Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mesabi East Secondary a Title I school?
No, Mesabi East Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mesabi East Secondary?
45.3% of students at Mesabi East 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
- Average (251/100K)
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
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- St. Louis County
- Phone
- (218) 229-3321
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 871
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,609
- 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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