Average
#1294 of 1,986 schools in MN
Pine River-backus High School
High School · PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 610, Pine River, MN 56474
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pine River
#2 of 3
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#361 of 628
In district
#2 of 3
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Pine River-backus High School
Pine River-Backus High School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Pine River, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, this comprehensive educational institution has an enrollment of 352 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention and support. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school is well-equipped to cater to its diverse student body.
Academically, Pine River-Backus High School has room for growth, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking at #1753 out of 2027 schools across Minnesota (14th percentile). In standardized tests, the school shows that 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% demonstrate proficiency or better in Math. The school's setting offers a unique environment for learning and community engagement.
Pine River-Backus High School is nestled in a rural area with close-knit communities, providing a supportive atmosphere for its students to grow both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pine River-backus 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pine River-backus High School — Students at Pine River-backus High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.4/10.
How Pine River-backus High School Compares
See how Pine River-backus High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
P.O. BOX 610, Pine River, MN 56474
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pine River-backus High School 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, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Walker), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pine River-Backus ALP (rated 6.0/10, 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 26.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY Pine River | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Pine River-Backus ALP Pine River | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Backus | 8.4 mi | 6.4 |
| PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes | 9.8 mi | 3.9 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes | 9.8 mi | 4.1 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 15.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake | 14.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community 6-12 Online Crosslake | 14.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community K-5 Online Crosslake | 14.7 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walker | 23.2 mi | — |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 24.9 mi | — |
| Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager | 26.9 mi | 4.5 |
| BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter | 27.1 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 |
| LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter | 27.0 mi | 3.3 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 26.8 mi | 6.3 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 26.9 mi | 5.6 |
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 High School 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 |
|---|---|
| CANBY SECONDARY Canby, MN | 5.8 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron, MN | 5.8 |
| CONCORDIA ACADEMY Roseville, MN | 5.8 |
| DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River, MN | 5.8 |
| MONTEVIDEO SENIOR HIGH Montevideo, MN | 5.8 |
| Minnesota Virtual Schools Roseville, MN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pine River-backus High School
What grades does Pine River-backus High School serve?
Pine River-backus High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Pine River-backus High School?
Pine River-backus High School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus High School is 12.6:1. 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 High School rank in MN?
Pine River-backus High School is ranked #1294 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Pine River-backus High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pine River-backus High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pine River-backus High School has 32.0% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pine River-backus High School a charter school?
No, Pine River-backus High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pine River-backus High School a Title I school?
No, Pine River-backus High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pine River-backus High School?
57.1% of students at Pine River-backus 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.
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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (218) 587-4425
- 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
- #2 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.