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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,830

Pine River-backus Alp — Students at Pine River-backus Alp score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in MN
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
879
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,348
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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