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Very Good

#446 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 22% in state

Northern Lights Community School

High School · NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL

PO BOX 2829, Warba, MN 55793

Charter

Enrollment

84

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#446 of 1,992

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Northern Lights Community School

7.3/10

High School in Warba · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Blackberry Sda School

Nearby

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

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

About Northern Lights Community School

Northern Lights Community School is a public high school in Warba, MN, part of NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL. Northern Lights Community School serves approximately 84 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Lights Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #446 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Northern Lights Community School show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above MN schools
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 84 students, Northern Lights Community School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Northern Lights Community School 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.

At 9.3:1 students to teachers, Northern Lights Community School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,280
Chronic Absenteeism51.2%

Northern Lights Community School — Students at Northern Lights Community School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2010
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2011
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2012
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Northern Lights Community School Compares

See how Northern Lights Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
78th percentile in MN
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.2%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 2829, Warba, MN 55793

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Lights Community School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH (rated 8.7/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NASHWAUK SECONDARY (rated 6.6/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Nashwauk), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Warba, see our Warba schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.6 mi
School Distance Rating
BLACKBERRY SDA SCHOOL Grand Rapids 6.6 mi
MARBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Marble 13.3 mi
VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine 13.1 mi 6.7
GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine 13.2 mi 6.1
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine 13.2 mi 8.7
ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids 12.7 mi 6.6
East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids 13.8 mi 8.8
NASHWAUK SECONDARY Nashwauk 17.8 mi 6.6
ROBERT J. ELKINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids 13.9 mi 7.6
MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids 13.9 mi
GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids 14.3 mi 5.7
GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids 14.3 mi 5.1
GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids 15.2 mi 7.8
West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids 15.3 mi 8.4
Keewatin-Nashwauk Elementary School Keewatin 20.8 mi 5.9
HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City 18.3 mi 5.6
HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City 18.3 mi 5.7
Hill City Middle School Hill City 18.3 mi 5.3
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset 18.9 mi 7.7
FLOODWOOD ELEMENTARY Floodwood 21.6 mi 9.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55793 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,458

Median Home Value

$194,300

Median Rent

$1,150/mo

Population

676

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

86.2%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

44.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FAIRVIEW ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Roseville, MN 7.3
SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. Fairmont, MN 7.2
WATERSHED HIGH SCHOOL Richfield, MN 7.2
HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY Monticello, MN 7.4
KITTSON CENTRAL SECONDARY Hallock, MN 7.4
LORING-NICOLLET HIGH Minneapolis, MN 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Lights Community School

What grades does Northern Lights Community School serve?

Northern Lights Community School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Northern Lights Community School?

Northern Lights Community School has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Community School is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Lights Community School rank in MN?

Northern Lights Community School ranks #446 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Northern Lights Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Lights Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Northern Lights Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Lights Community School has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Northern Lights Community School a charter school?

Yes, Northern Lights Community School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Northern Lights Community School a Title I school?

No, Northern Lights Community School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Lights Community School?

71.4% of students at Northern Lights Community 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Itasca County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.2%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
District Enrollment
84
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,280
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

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