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Below Average

#1749 of 1,986 schools in MN

Onamia High School

High School · ONAMIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

35465 125TH AVE, Onamia, MN 56359

Enrollment

236

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

4.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Onamia

#5 of 5

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#551 of 628

In district

#5 of 5

ONAMIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Onamia High School

Onamia High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Onamia, Minnesota. The school serves students from seventh grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 236 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1. There are 11 full-time equivalent teachers at the school.

Onamia High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10, placing it in the 7th percentile among Minnesota schools. In terms of academic performance, only 42% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels in ELA/reading and just 30% do so in math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to providing a supportive educational environment for its rural community.

The small town setting offers a close-knit community feel where teachers and staff are dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential despite limited resources and a smaller population base. The surrounding area provides a peaceful backdrop with plenty of natural beauty and outdoor activities, making Onamia High School a unique choice for families seeking an intimate learning environment in a rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Onamia High School is 21.5:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Onamia High School 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,656

Onamia High School — Students at Onamia High School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
32%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Onamia High School Compares

See how Onamia High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
12th percentile in MN
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

35465 125TH AVE, Onamia, MN 56359

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Onamia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. KOKESH AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OGILVIE SECONDARY (rated 6.6/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Ogilvie), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MILACA SECONDARY HIGH (rated 6.0/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Milaca), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Onamia, see our Onamia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Onamia Primary School Onamia 0.0 mi 8.0
Onamia Elementary School Onamia 0.0 mi 8.2
KOKESH AREA LEARNING CENTER Onamia 0.7 mi 6.9
Onamia Academy Onamia 0.7 mi 7.0
Nay-Ah-Shing School Onamia 9.0 mi
ISLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Isle 10.9 mi
ISLE SECONDARY Isle 10.9 mi 5.6
ISLE ELEMENTARY Isle 10.9 mi 9.4
RUM RIVER NORTH Milaca 21.4 mi 7.8
MILACA ELEMENTARY Milaca 21.4 mi 5.9
MILACA SECONDARY HIGH Milaca 21.4 mi 6.0
MILACA AREA LEARNING CENTER Milaca 21.4 mi
Milaca 7-12 Online Milaca 21.4 mi
OGILVIE ELEMENTARY Ogilvie 19.9 mi 5.7
OGILVIE SECONDARY Ogilvie 19.9 mi 6.6
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Foreston 23.8 mi 3.8
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pease 25.0 mi 5.1
MORA SECONDARY Mora 21.7 mi 5.6
MORA ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER Mora 21.7 mi 4.8
MORA MIDDLE LEVEL ALC Mora 21.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56359 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,852

Median Home Value

$205,500

Median Rent

$803/mo

Population

3,451

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.4%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Onamia High School has a median household income of $57,852. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,500, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
DOVER-EYOTA HIGH SCHOOL Eyota, MN 4.7
WABASHA-KELLOGG SECONDARY Wabasha, MN 4.7
CEDAR MOUNTAIN SECONDARY Morgan, MN 4.8
CHISHOLM SECONDARY Chisholm, MN 4.8
Falcon View Connections High School Wabasha, MN 4.8
MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron, MN 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Onamia High School

What grades does Onamia High School serve?

Onamia High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Onamia High School?

Onamia High School has an enrollment of approximately 236 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Onamia High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Onamia High School is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Onamia High School rank in MN?

Onamia High School is ranked #1749 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Onamia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Onamia High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Onamia High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Onamia High School has 30.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Onamia High School a charter school?

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

Is Onamia High School a Title I school?

No, Onamia High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Onamia High School?

79.7% of students at Onamia High 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

City Safety
High (3,176/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Mille Lacs County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ONAMIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
585
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,622
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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