Very Good
#531 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 27% in state
North Woods Secondary
High School · ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
10248 E OLSON RD, Cook, MN 55723
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#531 of 1,992
In Cook
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#4 of 9
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.3 / 10
Very Good
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North Woods Secondary
High School in Cook · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Woods Elementary
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Nett Lake Elementary
21.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Woods Secondary
North Woods Secondary is a public high school in Cook, MN, part of ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. North Woods Secondary serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
North Woods Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #531 of 1,992 schools in MN. Structured state assessment records for North Woods Secondary show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.5
- MN avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at North Woods Secondary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
North Woods Secondary 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.
36% of students at North Woods Secondary 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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North Woods Secondary — Students at North Woods Secondary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 24 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: 7.1/10.
How North Woods Secondary Compares
See how North Woods Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
10248 E OLSON RD, Cook, MN 55723
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Woods Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 (rated 8.1/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Virginia), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CHERRY SECONDARY (rated 7.1/10, 33.6 miles away, in nearby Iron), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY (rated 6.8/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Mountain Iron), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cook, see our Cook schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NORTH WOODS ELEMENTARY Cook | 0.0 mi | 8.3 |
| NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY Orr | 21.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Vaughan-Steffensrud Elementary Chisholm | 27.3 mi | 4.2 |
| EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron | 26.6 mi | 5.6 |
| MERRITT ELEMENTARY Mountain Iron | 26.8 mi | 6.7 |
| MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron | 26.8 mi | 6.8 |
| CHISHOLM ELEMENTARY Chisholm | 28.2 mi | 7.8 |
| CHISHOLM SECONDARY Chisholm | 28.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkview Elementary Virginia | 27.0 mi | 6.5 |
| NLC Transition Program Virginia | 26.9 mi | — |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 020 Virginia | 27.8 mi | 6.7 |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia | 27.8 mi | 8.1 |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia | 27.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia | 30.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Laurentian Elementary Eveleth | 30.7 mi | 6.8 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Hibbing | 32.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Hibbing Early Learning Center Hibbing | 32.7 mi | 6.6 |
| North Star Elementary Eveleth | 31.2 mi | 7.4 |
| CHERRY ELEMENTARY Iron | 33.6 mi | 5.2 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron | 33.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55723 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,958
Median Home Value
$177,300
Median Rent
$620/mo
Population
1,861
College Educated
24.2%
Homeownership
85.8%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Median Age
59.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY Alden, MN | 7.1 |
| AVALON SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 7.1 |
| BETHLEHEM ACADEMY Faribault, MN | 7.1 |
| CALEDONIA SENIOR HIGH Caledonia, MN | 7.1 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron, MN | 7.1 |
| JANESVILLE-WALDORF-PEMBERTON SEC Janesville, MN | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Woods Secondary
What grades does North Woods Secondary serve?
North Woods Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend North Woods Secondary?
North Woods Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Woods Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at North Woods Secondary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Woods Secondary rank in MN?
North Woods Secondary ranks #531 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is North Woods Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
North Woods Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Woods Secondary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Woods Secondary has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
Is North Woods Secondary a charter school?
No, North Woods Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Woods Secondary a Title I school?
No, North Woods Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Woods Secondary?
49.0% of students at North Woods Secondary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- St. Louis County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.5%
- Phone
- (218) 666-5221
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
Resources & Links
District
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,947
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,872
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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