Average
#1185 of 1,986 schools in MN
Pine River-backus Alp
High School · PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 610, Pine River, MN 56474
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
25:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pine River
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#318 of 628
In district
#1 of 3
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Pine River-backus Alp
Pine River-Backus ALP is a small alternative high school located in the remote rural area of Pine River, Minnesota. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 50 students and offers a unique educational environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 25:1. With two full-time equivalent teachers on staff, students receive individualized attention and support.
The academic performance at Pine River-Backus ALP is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by the MySchoolScout Rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1782 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (12th percentile). Test scores show that only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 20% are proficient or above in Math. The school is working to enhance its academic offerings and support for student development.
Pine River-Backus ALP sits in a quiet, rural setting with limited neighborhood information available. This alternative high school provides a nurturing environment tailored to meet the needs of students who may benefit from an unconventional educational approach.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 50 students, Pine River-backus Alp is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus Alp is 25:1, 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, Pine River-backus Alp 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 metricsView breakdown
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Pine River-backus Alp — Students at Pine River-backus Alp score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Pine River-backus Alp Compares
See how Pine River-backus Alp performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
P.O. BOX 610, Pine River, MN 56474
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pine River-backus Alp may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pillager Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Pillager), which scores notably higher. Another option is WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. (rated 6.3/10, 26.7 miles away, in nearby Walker), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pine River, see our Pine River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 27.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL Pine River | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY Pine River | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Backus | 8.3 mi | 6.4 |
| PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes | 9.9 mi | 3.9 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes | 9.9 mi | 4.1 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 11.2 mi | 7.1 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 15.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake | 14.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community 6-12 Online Crosslake | 14.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community K-5 Online Crosslake | 14.8 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walker | 23.1 mi | — |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 24.8 mi | — |
| Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager | 26.9 mi | 4.5 |
| BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter | 27.2 mi | 7.1 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager | 27.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager | 27.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Pillager Middle School Pillager | 27.8 mi | 5.8 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 26.7 mi | 6.3 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 26.8 mi | 5.6 |
| LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter | 27.1 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56474 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,741
Median Home Value
$220,500
Median Rent
$870/mo
Population
4,471
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pine River-backus Alp has a median household income of $55,741. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,500, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| FLOODWOOD SECONDARY Floodwood, MN | 6.0 |
| LORING-NICOLLET HIGH Minneapolis, MN | 6.0 |
| Waubun ALC Waubun, MN | 6.0 |
| ZUMBRO AREA LEARNING CENTER Kasson, MN | 6.0 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji, MN | 5.9 |
| CHOICE Technical Academy Owatonna, MN | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pine River-backus Alp
What grades does Pine River-backus Alp serve?
Pine River-backus Alp serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pine River-backus Alp?
Pine River-backus Alp has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus Alp?
The student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus Alp is 25:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pine River-backus Alp rank in MN?
Pine River-backus Alp is ranked #1185 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Pine River-backus Alp's MySchoolScout rating?
Pine River-backus Alp has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Pine River-backus Alp?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pine River-backus Alp has 20.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pine River-backus Alp a charter school?
No, Pine River-backus Alp is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pine River-backus Alp a Title I school?
No, Pine River-backus Alp is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pine River-backus Alp?
72.0% of students at Pine River-backus Alp qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,283/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pine River). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 50
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (218) 587-3131
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 879
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,348
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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