Below Average
#1702 of 1,986 schools in MN
Step Academy Charter School
High School · STEP Academy
835 5TH ST E., Saint Paul, MN 55106
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saint Paul
#100 of 125
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#530 of 628
In district
#2 of 3
STEP Academy
About Step Academy Charter School
STEP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL is a public charter school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Serving students from sixth grade through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 374 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.4:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at STEP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and state ranking of 1951 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota.
Specifically, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 17% reach proficiency in math. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment that focuses on student development and improvement. Located within a large city setting, STEP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL benefits from being part of an urban community with diverse resources and opportunities for its students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Step Academy Charter School is 23.4:1, 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.
Step Academy Charter 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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Step Academy Charter School — Students at Step Academy Charter School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
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: 4.4/10.
How Step Academy Charter School Compares
See how Step Academy Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
835 5TH ST E., Saint Paul, MN 55106
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Step Academy Charter School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FACE TO FACE ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CITY ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEAP HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Saint Paul, see our Saint Paul schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,601
Median Home Value
$233,000
Median Rent
$1,230/mo
Population
56,969
College Educated
23.3%
Homeownership
60.3%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Step Academy Charter School has a median household income of $68,601. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,000, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| CEDAR MOUNTAIN SECONDARY Morgan, MN | 4.8 |
| CHISHOLM SECONDARY Chisholm, MN | 4.8 |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL TWIN CITIES Minneapolis, MN | 4.8 |
| Falcon View Connections High School Wabasha, MN | 4.8 |
| MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron, MN | 4.8 |
| WAUBUN SECONDARY Waubun, MN | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Step Academy Charter School
What grades does Step Academy Charter School serve?
Step Academy Charter School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Step Academy Charter School?
Step Academy Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Step Academy Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Step Academy Charter School is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Step Academy Charter School rank in MN?
Step Academy Charter School is ranked #1702 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Step Academy Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Step Academy Charter School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Step Academy Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Step Academy Charter School has 17.2% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Step Academy Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Step Academy Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Step Academy Charter School a Title I school?
No, Step Academy Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Step Academy Charter School?
65.8% of students at Step Academy Charter 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
- County Safety
- Low (197/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 374
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Ramsey County
- Phone
- (651) 289-6120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
STEP Academy- District Enrollment
- 913
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,145
- 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
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