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Below Average

#1679 of 1,992 schools in MN

North Star Academy

Elementary School · DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY

3301 TECHNOLOGY DR, Duluth, MN 55811

Charter

Enrollment

590

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,679 of 1,992

In Duluth

#23 of 28

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY

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North Star Academy

4.7/10

Elementary School in Duluth · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Arrowhead Academy

Nearby

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

Lowell Elementary

6.4/10

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

About North Star Academy

North Star Academy is a public elementary school in Duluth, MN, part of DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY. North Star Academy serves approximately 590 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. North Star Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,679 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for North Star Academy show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

North Star Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

North Star Academy 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.

46% of students at North Star Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
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.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,838
Chronic Absenteeism46.3%

North Star Academy — Students at North Star Academy score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.9% (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
79%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
58%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
50%
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: 3.0/10.

How North Star Academy Compares

See how North Star Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in MN
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.3%

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 8.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 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 6.4
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 8.8
MYERS-WILKINS ELEMENTARY Duluth 2.4 mi 4.2
CHESTER CREEK ACADEMY Duluth 2.1 mi 5.8
PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY Duluth 3.3 mi 8.0
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Duluth 3.3 mi 4.3
DULUTH AREA LEARNING CENTER Duluth 3.2 mi 6.1
Academic Excellence Online Duluth 3.2 mi 5.0
ALC Independent Study Duluth 3.2 mi 3.8
ALC School Within a School Duluth 3.2 mi 3.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Edina, MN 4.7
Woodcrest El. Spanish Immersion Fridley, MN 4.7
AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 4.8
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY Minnetonka, MN 4.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Faribault, MN 4.8
MADISON ELEMENTARY Saint Cloud, MN 4.8

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 ranks #1,679 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is North Star Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

North Star Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Star Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Star Academy has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.3%

District

DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACADEMY
District Enrollment
762
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,838
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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