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Very Good

#488 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 25% in state

Mn Academy for the Blind

School · MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES

400 6TH AVE SE, Faribault, MN 55021

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

3.1:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Faribault

#3 of 13

public schools

Minnesota schools

#13 of 116

In district

#2 of 2

MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Mn Academy for the Blind

MN Academy for the Blind is a unique educational institution located in Faribault, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-K through grade 12, this regular public school offers an inclusive learning environment with a current enrollment of just 40 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 3.1:1. The dedicated faculty, consisting of 13 full-time equivalent teachers, provides personalized attention to each child’s needs.

While the MySchoolScout rating is at 4.8 out of 10 and the academic score is relatively low at 2.7 out of 10, these metrics do not fully capture the specialized educational experience offered here. MN Academy for the Blind focuses on supporting students with visual impairments through tailored curricula and resources designed to foster individual development. The school's location in Faribault, a small town setting, offers a close-knit community atmosphere that is conducive to building strong relationships between staff, students, and families.

Despite the challenges reflected in the academic performance data, MN Academy for the Blind remains committed to providing an enriching educational experience tailored specifically to its unique student population.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Mn Academy for the Blind 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.

While current test scores at Mn Academy for the Blind are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3.1:1, Mn Academy for the Blind offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.1:1

Mn Academy for the Blind — Students at Mn Academy for the Blind score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Mn Academy for the Blind Compares

See how Mn Academy for the Blind performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
76th percentile in MN
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
3:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

400 6TH AVE SE, Faribault, MN 55021

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mn Academy for the Blind may also want to explore other schools in the area. MN ACADEMY FOR THE DEAF (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Alexander Learning Academy (rated 7.1/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Faribault, see our Faribault schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Discovery Public School - Faribault Faribault 0.5 mi 5.8
MN ACADEMY FOR THE DEAF Faribault 0.8 mi 7.7
BETHLEHEM ACADEMY Faribault 0.7 mi 7.1
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Faribault 0.7 mi 7.3
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Faribault 1.0 mi 5.7
SHATTUCK-ST. MARYS SCHOOL Faribault 1.1 mi 9.5
FARIBAULT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Faribault 1.1 mi 5.2
FARIBAULT MIDDLE Faribault 1.4 mi 5.1
CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL Faribault 1.8 mi 4.0
FARIBAULT SENIOR HIGH Faribault 1.3 mi 5.4
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Faribault 1.5 mi
Falcons Online Academy-Middle Faribault 1.5 mi
Falcons Online Academy-HS Faribault 1.5 mi 5.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Faribault 1.4 mi 6.3
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Faribault 1.5 mi 7.2
FARIBAULT AREA LEARNING CENTER Faribault 2.5 mi 7.4
Alexander Learning Academy Faribault 2.3 mi 7.1
Laura Baker SUN Program Faribault 2.3 mi
CVSEC STEP Faribault 2.3 mi 7.0
MEDFORD ELEMENTARY Medford 7.9 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,296

Median Home Value

$267,600

Median Rent

$1,044/mo

Population

30,860

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mn Academy for the Blind has a median household income of $70,296. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $267,600, with a median rent of $1,044/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. 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
CHESTER CREEK ACADEMY Duluth, MN 7.3
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Karlstad, MN 7.3
Rockridge Academy Duluth, MN 7.3
917 TEA Apple Valley, MN 7.2
SWWC ELC - Cosmos Cosmos, MN 7.4
Alexander Learning Academy Faribault, MN 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mn Academy for the Blind

What grades does Mn Academy for the Blind serve?

Mn Academy for the Blind serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Mn Academy for the Blind?

Mn Academy for the Blind has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mn Academy for the Blind?

The student-teacher ratio at Mn Academy for the Blind is 3.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mn Academy for the Blind rank in MN?

Mn Academy for the Blind is ranked #488 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Mn Academy for the Blind's MySchoolScout rating?

Mn Academy for the Blind has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Mn Academy for the Blind?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mn Academy for the Blind has 25.0% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mn Academy for the Blind a charter school?

No, Mn Academy for the Blind is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mn Academy for the Blind a Title I school?

No, Mn Academy for the Blind is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mn Academy for the Blind?

65.0% of students at Mn Academy for the Blind 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
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,441/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Faribault). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.0%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Distant Town
County
Rice County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES
District Enrollment
122
Schools in District
2
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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