Average
#1306 of 1,986 schools in MN
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
5.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cook
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#365 of 628
In district
#6 of 9
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About North Woods Secondary
North Woods Secondary is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Cook, Minnesota. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 259 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. There are 19 full-time equivalent teachers at North Woods Secondary.
Academically, North Woods Secondary ranks in the 31st percentile among Minnesota schools, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.3 out of 10. In terms of proficiency scores, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 25% meet the same standard in math. The school is focused on student development with room for academic growth.
North Woods Secondary is situated in a remote rural setting where community support and involvement play significant roles in the educational experience of its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Woods Secondary 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
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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 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: 4.0/10.
How North Woods Secondary Compares
See how North Woods Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE (rated 7.3/10, 26.6 miles away, in nearby Mountain Iron), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 (rated 7.3/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Virginia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHERRY SECONDARY (rated 5.8/10, 33.6 miles away, in nearby 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 | 9.4 |
| NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY Orr | 21.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Vaughan-Steffensrud Elementary Chisholm | 27.3 mi | 6.0 |
| EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron | 26.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MERRITT ELEMENTARY Mountain Iron | 26.8 mi | 7.7 |
| MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron | 26.8 mi | 4.8 |
| CHISHOLM ELEMENTARY Chisholm | 28.2 mi | 5.4 |
| CHISHOLM SECONDARY Chisholm | 28.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Parkview Elementary Virginia | 27.0 mi | 6.2 |
| NLC Transition Program Virginia | 26.9 mi | — |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 020 Virginia | 27.8 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia | 27.8 mi | 7.3 |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia | 27.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia | 30.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Laurentian Elementary Eveleth | 30.7 mi | 6.4 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Hibbing | 32.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Hibbing Early Learning Center Hibbing | 32.7 mi | 6.5 |
| North Star Elementary Eveleth | 31.2 mi | 7.2 |
| CHERRY ELEMENTARY Iron | 33.6 mi | 7.6 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron | 33.6 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Woods Secondary has a median household income of $63,958. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,300, with a median rent of $620/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| ALC Independent Study Duluth, MN | 5.7 |
| FILLMORE CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Harmony, MN | 5.7 |
| MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY Moose Lake, MN | 5.7 |
| PIPESTONE SENIOR HIGH Pipestone, MN | 5.7 |
| SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka, MN | 5.7 |
| Venture Academy High School Minneapolis, MN | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #1306 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is North Woods Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
North Woods Secondary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Woods Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Woods Secondary has 25.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (251/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 666-5221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,947
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,872
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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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