Average
#1262 of 1,986 schools in MN
Spectrum High School
High School · SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL
17796 INDUSTRIAL CIR NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elk River
#10 of 14
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#349 of 628
In district
#3 of 3
SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Spectrum High School
Spectrum High School serves 484 students in grades 9-12 as a charter school in Elk River, Minnesota. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, providing a relatively intimate learning environment for high school students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 77th percentile among Minnesota high schools at #463 out of 2,027 schools statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 77% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 47% of students perform at proficient or above levels. Spectrum High School operates within Elk River's thriving suburban community in Sherburne County, where families enjoy a median household income of $108,077 and a low poverty rate of just 3.3%.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community with median home values around $329,900 and 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in a large suburban setting that offers students the benefits of both community connection and access to broader regional opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Spectrum High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Spectrum High School — Students at Spectrum High School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.5%
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
↑ 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: 9.5/10.
How Spectrum High School Compares
See how Spectrum High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
17796 INDUSTRIAL CIR NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spectrum High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Online728 High School (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IVAN SAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ELK RIVER SENIOR HIGH (rated 4.4/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Elk River, see our Elk River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 Elk River | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Spectrum Middle School - Grade 6 Elk River | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Three Rivers Montessori School Elk River | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| ST ANDREW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Elk River | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| PARKER ELEMENTARY Elk River | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Elk River | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ELK RIVER SENIOR HIGH Elk River | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Handke Center- EC Special Education Elk River | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ELK RIVER DISTRICT SHARED TIME PROG Elk River | 2.0 mi | — |
| C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Elk River | 2.0 mi | — |
| Online728 High School Elk River | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Online728 Elementary School Elk River | 2.0 mi | — |
| Online728 Middle School Elk River | 2.0 mi | — |
| OTSEGO ELEMENTARY Otsego | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River | 1.8 mi | 3.3 |
| ISD 728 FOCUS/JOURNEY Elk River | 1.8 mi | — |
| IVAN SAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Elk River | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| FAIRVIEW PROGRAM Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| Ivan Sand Middle School ALC Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,481
Median Home Value
$355,200
Median Rent
$1,356/mo
Population
45,080
College Educated
33.1%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spectrum High School has a median household income of $111,481. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,200, with a median rent of $1,356/month. The local poverty rate of 2.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
| CONCORDIA ACADEMY Roseville, MN | 5.8 |
| DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River, MN | 5.8 |
| FALLS SECONDARY International Falls, MN | 5.8 |
| MONTEVIDEO SENIOR HIGH Montevideo, MN | 5.8 |
| Minnesota Virtual Schools Roseville, MN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spectrum High School
What grades does Spectrum High School serve?
Spectrum High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Spectrum High School?
Spectrum High School has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spectrum High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spectrum High School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spectrum High School rank in MN?
Spectrum High School is ranked #1262 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Spectrum High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spectrum 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 Spectrum High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spectrum High School has 45.3% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spectrum High School a charter school?
Yes, Spectrum High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Spectrum High School a Title I school?
No, Spectrum High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spectrum High School?
16.5% of students at Spectrum 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 (1,096/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elk River). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 484
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sherburne County
- Phone
- (763) 450-9845
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL- District Enrollment
- 892
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,285
- District Rank
- #3 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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