North Lakes Academy Elementary

North Lakes Academy Elementary is a charter school nestled in the rural setting of Forest Lake, Minnesota. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, North Lakes Academy has an enrollment of 266 pupils and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's academic performance is solid but shows room for improvement; the MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Minnesota schools.

In state assessments, about half of students (52%) are proficient or above in ELA/reading and exactly half (50%) are proficient or above in math. North Lakes Academy Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Forest Lake, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere with plenty of natural surroundings.

North Lakes Academy Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, North Lakes Academy Elementary 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.