Below Average
#1860 of 1,986 schools in MN
North Branch Area Middle School
Middle School · North Branch Area Public Schools
BOX 370 38431 LINCOLN TR, North Branch, MN 55056
Enrollment
633
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
633
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Branch
#7 of 7
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#235 of 280
In district
#6 of 6
North Branch Area Public Schools
About North Branch Area Middle School
North Branch Area Middle School is a regular public school located in North Branch, Minnesota, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 633 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1, the school benefits from having 29 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its students. The academic performance at North Branch Area Middle School indicates room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking at #1751 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (14th percentile).
In terms of proficiency rates, 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% are proficient or above in Math. The school is situated in a rural area near the town, offering a close-knit community setting that fosters a sense of belonging among its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at North Branch Area Middle School is 21.8:1, 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 Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Branch Area Middle School — Students at North Branch Area Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
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: 4.5/10.
How North Branch Area Middle School Compares
See how North Branch Area Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
BOX 370 38431 LINCOLN TR, North Branch, MN 55056
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Branch Area Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LAKESIDE EL. (rated 7.8/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Chisago City), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHISAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Chisago City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wyoming Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Wyoming), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Branch, see our North Branch schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 miNeighborhood 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| FRIENDLY HILLS MIDDLE Mendota Heights, MN | 4.2 |
| ROCKFORD MIDDLE Rockford, MN | 4.2 |
| BECKER MIDDLE Becker, MN | 4.3 |
| CAMBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cambridge, MN | 4.1 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes, MN | 4.1 |
| PLYMOUTH MIDDLE Plymouth, MN | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Branch Area Middle School
What grades does North Branch Area Middle School serve?
North Branch Area Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend North Branch Area Middle School?
North Branch Area Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 633 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Branch Area Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Branch Area Middle School is 21.8:1. 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 Middle School rank in MN?
North Branch Area Middle School is ranked #1860 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is North Branch Area Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Branch Area Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Branch Area Middle School has 41.3% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Branch Area Middle School a charter school?
No, North Branch Area Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Branch Area Middle School a Title I school?
No, North Branch Area Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Branch Area Middle School?
37.6% of students at North Branch Area Middle 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.
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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 633
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Chisago County
- Phone
- (651) 674-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Branch Area Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,744
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,823
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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