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Below Average

#1783 of 1,992 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

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,783 of 1,992

In North Branch

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

North Branch Area Public Schools

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North Branch Area Middle School

4.4/10

Middle School in North Branch · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chisago County Schools' Life Work C

Nearby

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

Norse Area Learning Center

5.4/10

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

About North Branch Area Middle School

North Branch Area Middle School is a public middle school in North Branch, MN, part of North Branch Area Public Schools. North Branch Area Middle School serves approximately 633 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. North Branch Area Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,783 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for North Branch Area Middle School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts below MN schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • MN avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

North Branch Area Middle School runs 21.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

North Branch Area Middle School 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,823
Chronic Absenteeism22.6%

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: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
45%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How North Branch Area Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in MN
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. CHISAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Chisago City), which scores notably higher. Another option is RUSH CITY SECONDARY (rated 7.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Rush City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Branch Area Education Center (rated 6.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Branch, see our North Branch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Chisago County Schools' Life Work C North Branch 0.0 mi
Norse Area Learning Center North Branch 0.1 mi 5.4
Distance Learning Academy Secondary North Branch 0.1 mi 5.7
Distance Learning Acadmy Elementary North Branch 0.1 mi
North Branch Area Education Center North Branch 0.1 mi 6.5
Phoenix Academy Charter School North Branch 0.2 mi 4.4
North Branch Area High School North Branch 0.4 mi 5.2
Sunrise River Elementary School North Branch 0.9 mi 5.1
LAKESIDE EL. Chisago City 9.6 mi 6.2
TRIO WOLF CREEK DISTANCE LEARNING Chisago City 9.7 mi 5.5
CHISAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chisago City 11.2 mi 7.1
CHISAGO LAKES EL. Chisago City 11.1 mi 6.0
CHISAGO LAKES FAMILY CENTER Chisago City 11.1 mi
C.E. JACOBSON ELEMENTARY Rush City 12.5 mi 6.5
Skillbuilding Opportunities for Aca Lindstrom 10.5 mi
Pathway to Change Lindstrom 10.5 mi
CHISAGO LAKES MIDDLE Lindstrom 10.5 mi 5.5
CHISAGO LAKES SENIOR HIGH Chisago City 11.0 mi 6.5
RUSH CITY SECONDARY Rush City 12.6 mi 7.1
Wyoming Elementary Wyoming 12.8 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS MIDDLE Inver Grove Heights, MN 4.4
STEWARTVILLE MIDDLE Stewartville, MN 4.4
KELLOGG MIDDLE Rochester, MN 4.5
PARK RAPIDS AREA CENTURY MIDDLE Park Rapids, MN 4.5
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia Heights, MN 4.6
ELLIS MIDDLE Austin, MN 4.6

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 ranks #1,783 of 1,992 schools in MN.

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

North Branch Area Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 North Branch Area Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Branch Area Middle School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

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