Average
#1389 of 1,986 schools in MN
North Star Academy
Elementary School · DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY
3301 TECHNOLOGY DR, Duluth, MN 55811
Enrollment
590
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
590
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Duluth
#21 of 28
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#768 of 962
In district
#1 of 2
DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About North Star Academy
North Star Academy is a charter school located in Duluth, Minnesota, situated near the town's rural outskirts. The school serves kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 590 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention. North Star Academy boasts 54 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse learning community.
Academically, the school is rated at the 41st percentile among Minnesota schools and has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, with room for growth in test performance. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 50% of students are proficient or above, while 41% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is committed to continuous improvement and focuses on student development across all grade levels.
North Star Academy's rural setting offers a close-knit community feel, making it an inviting place for families looking for a supportive educational environment with a strong sense of belonging.
What Parents Should Know
North Star Academy 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 Star Academy 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
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Data not available for this school
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North Star Academy — Students at North Star Academy score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.2%
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: 3.6/10.
How North Star Academy Compares
See how North Star Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
3301 TECHNOLOGY DR, Duluth, MN 55811
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Star Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOMECROFT ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MANY RIVERS MONTESSORI (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Duluth, see our Duluth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Academy Duluth | 0.8 mi | — |
| Lowell Elementary Duluth | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Lowell Elementary Spanish Immersion Duluth | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Duluth | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| SUPERIOR ACADEMY Duluth | 1.8 mi | — |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Duluth | 2.0 mi | — |
| THE MARSHALL SCHOOL Duluth | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| SPECIAL ED. N.P. Duluth | 2.2 mi | — |
| THE BRIDGE Duluth | 2.2 mi | — |
| SPIRIT OF THE LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Duluth | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| HOMECROFT ELEMENTARY Duluth | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| MYERS-WILKINS ELEMENTARY Duluth | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| CHESTER CREEK ACADEMY Duluth | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY Duluth | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Duluth | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| DULUTH AREA LEARNING CENTER Duluth | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Academic Excellence Online Duluth | 3.2 mi | 7.3 |
| ALC Independent Study Duluth | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| ALC School Within a School Duluth | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| MANY RIVERS MONTESSORI Duluth | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55811 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,877
Median Home Value
$299,300
Median Rent
$1,339/mo
Population
27,907
College Educated
41.1%
Homeownership
70.3%
Avg Commute
16.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Star Academy has a median household income of $77,877. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,300, with a median rent of $1,339/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| EDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Eden Valley, MN | 5.5 |
| PINE ISLAND ELEMENTARY Pine Island, MN | 5.5 |
| ALBERTVILLE PRIMARY Albertville, MN | 5.4 |
| BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter, MN | 5.4 |
| BISHOP ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 5.4 |
| BRAHAM ELEMENTARY Braham, MN | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Star Academy
What grades does North Star Academy serve?
North Star Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend North Star Academy?
North Star Academy has an enrollment of approximately 590 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at North Star Academy is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Star Academy rank in MN?
North Star Academy is ranked #1389 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is North Star Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
North Star Academy has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Star Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star Academy has 41.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Star Academy a charter school?
Yes, North Star Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is North Star Academy a Title I school?
No, North Star Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Star Academy?
54.2% of students at North Star Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,199/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Duluth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 590
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- St. Louis County
- Phone
- (218) 728-9556
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY- District Enrollment
- 762
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,838
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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