Average
#712 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 36% in state
North Lakes Academy Upper School
High School · NORTH LAKES ACADEMY
308 15TH ST SW, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest Lake
#4 of 14
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#164 of 628
In district
#1 of 3
NORTH LAKES ACADEMY
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About North Lakes Academy Upper School
North Lakes Academy Upper School is a charter high school in Forest Lake, Minnesota, serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 141 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse group of learners. The academic performance at North Lakes Academy Upper School is reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #1203 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (41st percentile).
On average, 61% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% achieve proficiency or higher in Math. The school is located on the fringe of an urban area, providing a unique blend of small-town charm and access to city resources. North Lakes Academy Upper School focuses on fostering student development and academic growth within its supportive community setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 141 students, North Lakes Academy Upper School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
North Lakes Academy Upper School 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.
Score Breakdown
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North Lakes Academy Upper School — Students at North Lakes Academy Upper School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
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: 3.4/10.
How North Lakes Academy Upper School Compares
See how North Lakes Academy Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 64.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
Location
308 15TH ST SW, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Lakes Academy Upper School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LILA Upper School (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is STEP (rated 5.4/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Forest Lake Area Community School (rated 5.3/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Forest Lake, see our Forest Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Lake Area Community School Forest Lake | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Forest Lake | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| FOREST LAKE ELEMENTARY Forest Lake | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| STEP Forest Lake | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Forest View Elementary Forest Lake | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| North Lakes Academy Middle School Forest Lake | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| North Lakes Academy Elementary Forest Lake | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| LILA Kinder Center Forest Lake | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| LILA Lower School Forest Lake | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Forest Lake Area High School Forest Lake | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| ST PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Forest Lake | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Forest Lake Area Middle School Forest Lake | 1.8 mi | 3.1 |
| LILA Upper School Forest Lake | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY Forest Lake | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Wyoming Elementary Wyoming | 3.3 mi | 6.9 |
| ONEKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hugo | 6.8 mi | 6.0 |
| North Star Elementary Hugo | 7.2 mi | 5.3 |
| CHISAGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chisago City | 6.8 mi | 7.1 |
| CENTERVILLE ELEMENTARY Centerville | 8.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Lino Lakes Elementary Lino Lakes | 7.3 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,993
Median Home Value
$385,800
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
Population
25,759
College Educated
35.8%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Lakes Academy Upper School has a median household income of $95,993. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,800, with a median rent of $1,355/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 917 DCALS Main Rosemount, MN | 6.9 |
| ALC SENIOR HIGH Brooklyn Park, MN | 6.9 |
| BATTLE LAKE SECONDARY Battle Lake, MN | 6.9 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. Cass Lake, MN | 6.9 |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji, MN | 6.9 |
| WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY Willow River, MN | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Lakes Academy Upper School
What grades does North Lakes Academy Upper School serve?
North Lakes Academy Upper School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Lakes Academy Upper School?
North Lakes Academy Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 141 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Lakes Academy Upper School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Lakes Academy Upper School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Lakes Academy Upper School rank in MN?
North Lakes Academy Upper School is ranked #712 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is North Lakes Academy Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Lakes Academy Upper School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Lakes Academy Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Lakes Academy Upper School has 44.5% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Lakes Academy Upper School a charter school?
Yes, North Lakes Academy Upper School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is North Lakes Academy Upper School a Title I school?
No, North Lakes Academy Upper School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Lakes Academy Upper School?
40.4% of students at North Lakes Academy Upper 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forest Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 141
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (651) 982-2688
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NORTH LAKES ACADEMY- District Enrollment
- 555
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,426
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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