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Very Good

#423 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 21% in state

Northfield Senior High

High School · NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

1400 DIVISION ST S, Northfield, MN 55057

Enrollment

1,295

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Northfield

#5 of 9

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#55 of 628

In district

#5 of 7

NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Northfield Senior High

Northfield Senior High serves 1,295 students in grades 9-12 in the college town of Northfield, Minnesota. With 58 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1, providing a substantial high school experience in Rice County. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #745 out of 2,027 Minnesota high schools, placing it in the 63rd percentile statewide.

Students show strong mathematics achievement with 60% scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 54% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. The school's academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student learning and growth. Northfield Senior High operates as a regular public school in a community known for its educational values.

The surrounding area reflects this emphasis on learning, with 50% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $90,066. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 6.5%, and median home values of $314,800 indicate a stable, invested community. The school serves students in this picturesque Minnesota town that balances small-town charm with the intellectual energy that comes from being home to higher education institutions.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Northfield Senior High is 22.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation32.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,875

Northfield Senior High — Students at Northfield Senior High score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
54%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Northfield Senior High Compares

See how Northfield Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in MN
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers

Location

1400 DIVISION ST S, Northfield, MN 55057

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northfield Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SHATTUCK-ST. MARYS SCHOOL (rated 9.5/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Faribault), which scores notably higher. Another option is FARIBAULT AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 7.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Faribault), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ARCADIA CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Northfield, see our Northfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
BRIDGEWATER ELEMENTARY Northfield 0.4 mi 8.2
NORTHFIELD MIDDLE Northfield 0.7 mi 6.2
Spring Creek Elementary Northfield 0.6 mi 7.8
NORTHFIELD AREA LEARNING CENTER Northfield 0.9 mi 5.3
ST DOMINIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Northfield 1.2 mi 6.8
ARCADIA CHARTER SCHOOL Northfield 1.1 mi 6.5
GREENVALE PARK ELEMENTARY Northfield 1.7 mi 8.9
Northfield Community Education Cntr Northfield 1.7 mi 7.6
NORTHFIELD MONTESSORI Northfield 1.8 mi
PRAIRIE CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL Northfield 7.2 mi 7.2
NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL Nerstrand 8.7 mi 7.4
FARIBAULT AREA LEARNING CENTER Faribault 10.0 mi 7.4
RANDOLPH ELEMENTARY Randolph 9.0 mi 6.6
RANDOLPH SECONDARY Randolph 9.0 mi 4.3
CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL Faribault 10.5 mi 4.0
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Faribault 11.0 mi 5.7
SHATTUCK-ST. MARYS SCHOOL Faribault 10.9 mi 9.5
GLORY ACADEMY Lakeville 11.0 mi 6.0
MN ACADEMY FOR THE DEAF Faribault 11.2 mi 7.7
Discovery Public School - Faribault Faribault 11.5 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55057 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,521

Median Home Value

$338,800

Median Rent

$1,042/mo

Population

25,458

College Educated

48.9%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

32.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northfield Senior High has a median household income of $97,521. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,800, with a median rent of $1,042/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
ST. LOUIS PARK SENIOR HIGH Saint Louis Park, MN 7.5
Two Rivers High School Mendota Heights, MN 7.5
COMO PARK SENIOR HIGH Saint Paul, MN 7.4
RICHFIELD SENIOR HIGH Richfield, MN 7.4
ROBBINSDALE ARMSTRONG SENIOR HIGH Plymouth, MN 7.4
Edison High Minneapolis, MN 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northfield Senior High

What grades does Northfield Senior High serve?

Northfield Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northfield Senior High?

Northfield Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,295 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northfield Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northfield Senior High is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northfield Senior High rank in MN?

Northfield Senior High is ranked #423 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Northfield Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northfield Senior High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Northfield Senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northfield Senior High has 56.7% math proficiency and 61.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northfield Senior High a charter school?

No, Northfield Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northfield Senior High a Title I school?

No, Northfield Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northfield Senior High?

30.3% of students at Northfield Senior High 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
63 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,507/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Northfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,295
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Rice County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
3,875
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,214
District Rank
#5 of 7

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 methodology

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