Very Good
#570 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 29% in state
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
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#570 of 1,992
In Pine River
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Pine River-backus High School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Pine River-backus High School
High School in Pine River · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pine River-backus Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pine River-backus Alp
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pine River-backus High School
Pine River-backus High School is a public high school in Pine River, MN, part of PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT. Pine River-backus High School serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Pine River-backus High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #570 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Pine River-backus High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- MN avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Pine River-backus High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
40% of students at Pine River-backus High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 28 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: 8.0/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.0/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Pillager), with a very similar rating. Another option is WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. (rated 7.0/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Walker), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central Lakes Adventure School (rated 6.3/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Pillager), with a comparable 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 | 6.3 |
| Pine River-Backus ALP Pine River | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Backus | 8.4 mi | 6.4 |
| PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes | 9.8 mi | 5.7 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes | 9.8 mi | 5.7 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 15.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake | 14.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Crosslake Community 6-12 Online Crosslake | 14.7 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter | 27.1 mi | 6.0 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager | 27.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager | 27.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Pillager Middle School Pillager | 27.8 mi | 5.2 |
| LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter | 27.0 mi | 3.3 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 26.8 mi | 7.0 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 26.9 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY Alden, MN | 7.1 |
| CALEDONIA SENIOR HIGH Caledonia, MN | 7.1 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron, MN | 7.1 |
| HAWLEY SECONDARY Hawley, MN | 7.1 |
| JANESVILLE-WALDORF-PEMBERTON SEC Janesville, MN | 7.1 |
| LUVERNE SENIOR HIGH Luverne, MN | 7.1 |
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 ranks #570 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Pine River-backus High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pine River-backus High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Pine River-backus High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pine River-backus High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.1%
- Phone
- (218) 587-4425
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.5%
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.