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Average

#1182 of 1,986 schools in MN

North Branch Area High School

High School · North Branch Area Public Schools

BOX 370 38175 GRAND AVE, North Branch, MN 55056

Enrollment

815

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Branch

#3 of 7

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#317 of 628

In district

#3 of 6

North Branch Area Public Schools

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About North Branch Area High School

North Branch Area High School serves grades 9–12 in the rural community of North Branch, Minnesota, with an enrollment of 815 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, supported by 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school has room for growth.

In English Language Arts, 54% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels. Mathematics performance is lower, with 29% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school ranks at the 37th percentile statewide among Minnesota high schools, with an overall academic score of 4.9 out of 10.

Located in a rural area near town, North Branch Area High School serves families throughout the surrounding community. The school's setting reflects the character of this northeastern Minnesota region in Chisago County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at North Branch Area High School is 20.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, North Branch Area High School 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,435

North Branch Area High School — Students at North Branch Area High School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.3%
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
32%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
60%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How North Branch Area High School Compares

See how North Branch Area High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
41th percentile in MN
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

BOX 370 38175 GRAND AVE, North Branch, MN 55056

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Branch Area High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Norse Area Learning Center (rated 5.9/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is TRIO WOLF CREEK DISTANCE LEARNING (rated 5.8/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Chisago City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Distance Learning Academy Secondary (rated 5.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in North Branch, see our North Branch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Phoenix Academy Charter School North Branch 0.3 mi 5.5
Chisago County Schools' Life Work C North Branch 0.4 mi
North Branch Area Middle School North Branch 0.4 mi 4.2
Sunrise River Elementary School North Branch 0.5 mi 6.8
Norse Area Learning Center North Branch 0.5 mi 5.9
Distance Learning Academy Secondary North Branch 0.5 mi 5.7
Distance Learning Acadmy Elementary North Branch 0.5 mi
North Branch Area Education Center North Branch 0.5 mi 6.4
LAKESIDE EL. Chisago City 9.2 mi 7.8
TRIO WOLF CREEK DISTANCE LEARNING Chisago City 9.3 mi 5.8
CHISAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chisago City 10.8 mi 7.1
CHISAGO LAKES EL. Chisago City 10.7 mi 6.5
CHISAGO LAKES FAMILY CENTER Chisago City 10.7 mi
CHISAGO LAKES SENIOR HIGH Chisago City 10.7 mi 5.1
Skillbuilding Opportunities for Aca Lindstrom 10.3 mi
Pathway to Change Lindstrom 10.3 mi
CHISAGO LAKES MIDDLE Lindstrom 10.3 mi 4.7
Wyoming Elementary Wyoming 12.4 mi 6.9
C.E. JACOBSON ELEMENTARY Rush City 12.9 mi 4.3
RUSH CITY SECONDARY Rush City 13.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,601

Median Home Value

$297,600

Median Rent

$1,190/mo

Population

14,279

College Educated

20.8%

Homeownership

84.4%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

39.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Branch Area High School has a median household income of $93,601. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $297,600, with a median rent of $1,190/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Henry High Minneapolis, MN 6.0
MILACA SECONDARY HIGH Milaca, MN 6.0
Morris Area Secondary Morris, MN 6.0
NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL New Ulm, MN 6.0
BIG LAKE SENIOR HIGH Big Lake, MN 5.9
Brooklyn Center High School Brooklyn Center, MN 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Branch Area High School

What grades does North Branch Area High School serve?

North Branch Area High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend North Branch Area High School?

North Branch Area High School has an enrollment of approximately 815 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Branch Area High School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Branch Area High School is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Branch Area High School rank in MN?

North Branch Area High School is ranked #1182 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is North Branch Area High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Branch Area High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 North Branch Area High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Branch Area High School has 28.7% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Branch Area High School a charter school?

No, North Branch Area High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Branch Area High School a Title I school?

No, North Branch Area High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Branch Area High School?

30.2% of students at North Branch Area High School 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

City Safety
Average (264/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
815
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Chisago County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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