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Excellent

#68 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 3% in state

Mountain Lake Secondary

High School · MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PO BOX 400, Mountain Lake, MN 56159

Enrollment

240

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

8.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#68 of 1,992

In Mountain Lake

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Mountain Lake Secondary

8.7/10

High School in Mountain Lake · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mountain Lake Elementary

5.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mountain Lake Christian School

8.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mountain Lake Secondary

Mountain Lake Secondary is a public high school in Mountain Lake, MN, part of MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Mountain Lake Secondary serves approximately 240 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Mountain Lake Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #68 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Mountain Lake Secondary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.5 pts above MN schools
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Mountain Lake Secondary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,998
Chronic Absenteeism24.6%

Mountain Lake Secondary — Students at Mountain Lake Secondary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Mountain Lake Secondary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
97th percentile in MN
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.6%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·22 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 400, Mountain Lake, MN 56159

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mountain Lake Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SPRINGFIELD SECONDARY (rated 8.0/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Springfield), with a comparable rating. Another option is COMFREY SECONDARY (rated 7.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SWWC ALC - Windom (rated 6.6/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Windom), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mountain Lake, see our Mountain Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Mountain Lake 0.1 mi 5.5
MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake 0.2 mi 8.1
NEUHOF SCHOOL Mountain Lake 3.0 mi
ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake 5.9 mi 6.0
BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield 6.9 mi 5.6
BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield 6.9 mi 5.0
COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey 11.6 mi 6.4
COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey 11.6 mi 7.9
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom 10.4 mi
SWWC ELC - Windom Windom 10.8 mi 7.4
SWWC ALC - Windom Windom 10.8 mi 6.6
Windom Area Elementary Windom 11.0 mi 9.3
WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom 11.1 mi 5.7
WINDOM MIDDLE Windom 11.1 mi 5.8
TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont 16.1 mi 6.9
SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY Springfield 20.6 mi 9.1
SPRINGFIELD SECONDARY Springfield 20.7 mi 8.0
ST. JAMES EARLY CHILDHOOD Saint James 15.1 mi
Armstrong School Saint James 15.1 mi 3.4
ST RAPHAEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield 20.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56159 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,089

Median Home Value

$135,200

Median Rent

$738/mo

Population

2,520

College Educated

23.7%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

13.3 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
FOSSTON SECONDARY Fosston, MN 8.7
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine, MN 8.7
LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL Rochester, MN 8.7
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills, MN 8.6
MINNEOTA SECONDARY Minneota, MN 8.8
HANCOCK SEC. Hancock, MN 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mountain Lake Secondary

What grades does Mountain Lake Secondary serve?

Mountain Lake Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Mountain Lake Secondary?

Mountain Lake Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Lake Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Lake Secondary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mountain Lake Secondary rank in MN?

Mountain Lake Secondary ranks #68 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Mountain Lake Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mountain Lake Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mountain Lake Secondary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mountain Lake Secondary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Mountain Lake Secondary a charter school?

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

Is Mountain Lake Secondary a Title I school?

No, Mountain Lake Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.2% of students at Mountain Lake 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cottonwood County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.6%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
509
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,998
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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