Very Good
#527 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 27% 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
7.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mountain Lake
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#99 of 628
In district
#1 of 2
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Mountain Lake Secondary
Mountain Lake Secondary is a regular public school serving students from seventh through twelfth grade in the remote rural setting of Mountain Lake, Minnesota. With an enrollment of 240 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed academically. The dedicated team of sixteen full-time equivalent teachers works diligently to ensure that all students receive the support they need.
Mountain Lake Secondary has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and is ranked #508 among 2,027 schools in Minnesota. Academically, 50% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 55% meet proficiency standards in math. While these scores show room for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
Mountain Lake Secondary is situated in a rural area with close-knit community ties, providing students with a nurturing atmosphere as they navigate their education journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mountain Lake 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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Mountain Lake Secondary — Students at Mountain Lake Secondary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
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: 7.9/10.
How Mountain Lake Secondary Compares
See how Mountain Lake Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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 7.5/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Springfield), with a very similar rating. Another option is COMFREY SECONDARY (rated 7.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SWWC ALC - Windom (rated 6.2/10, 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 | 4.9 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| NEUHOF SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 3.0 mi | — |
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield | 6.9 mi | 8.7 |
| BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield | 6.9 mi | 4.7 |
| COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey | 11.6 mi | 9.0 |
| COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom | 10.4 mi | — |
| SWWC ELC - Windom Windom | 10.8 mi | 7.1 |
| SWWC ALC - Windom Windom | 10.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Windom Area Elementary Windom | 11.0 mi | 9.1 |
| WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom | 11.1 mi | 6.0 |
| WINDOM MIDDLE Windom | 11.1 mi | 4.7 |
| TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont | 16.1 mi | 7.5 |
| SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY Springfield | 20.6 mi | 9.0 |
| SPRINGFIELD SECONDARY Springfield | 20.7 mi | 7.5 |
| ST. JAMES EARLY CHILDHOOD Saint James | 15.1 mi | — |
| Armstrong School Saint James | 15.1 mi | 5.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mountain Lake Secondary has a median household income of $65,089. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,200, with a median rent of $738/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake, MN | 7.3 |
| CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America, MN | 7.3 |
| EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron, MN | 7.3 |
| HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills, MN | 7.3 |
| LANESBORO SECONDARY Lanesboro, MN | 7.3 |
| NEVIS SECONDARY Nevis, MN | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #527 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Mountain Lake Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountain Lake Secondary 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 Mountain Lake Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mountain Lake Secondary has 55.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mountain Lake). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (507) 427-2325
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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