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Average

#880 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 44% in state

Step Academy Charter School

High School · STEP Academy

835 5TH ST E., Saint Paul, MN 55106

Charter

Enrollment

374

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#880 of 1,992

In Saint Paul

#42 of 125

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

STEP Academy

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Step Academy Charter School

6.4/10

High School in Saint Paul · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Step Academy Elementary

4.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Daytons Bluff Elementary

3.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Step Academy Charter School

Step Academy Charter School is a public high school in Saint Paul, MN, part of STEP Academy. Step Academy Charter School serves approximately 374 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 23.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Step Academy Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #880 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Step Academy Charter School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).

How it comparesOn par with MN schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Step Academy Charter School runs 23.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Step Academy Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

33% of students at Step Academy Charter 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 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,145
Chronic Absenteeism32.9%

Step Academy Charter School — Students at Step Academy Charter School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.5% (multi-year average, 2011-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.1% (multi-year average, 2011-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
47%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Step Academy Charter School Compares

See how Step Academy Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
56th percentile in MN
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. CITY ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is FACE TO FACE ACADEMY (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Community of Peace Academy High Sch (rated 6.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Saint Paul, see our Saint Paul schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
STEP Academy Elementary Saint Paul 0.0 mi 4.2
DAYTONS BLUFF ELEMENTARY Saint Paul 0.4 mi 3.2
Early Education Daytons Bluff Saint Paul 0.4 mi
HOPE Community Academy Elementary Saint Paul 0.5 mi 6.6
HOPE Community Academy Middle Saint Paul 0.5 mi 3.9
HOPE Community Academy High School Saint Paul 0.5 mi 4.2
LEAP HIGH SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.3
Saint Paul Online High School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 2.7
Saint Paul Online Middle School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 5.2
Saint Paul Online Elementary School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.5
AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.5 mi 4.8
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE UPPER Saint Paul 0.8 mi 5.2
Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo Saint Paul 1.0 mi 7.2
CITY ACADEMY Saint Paul 0.9 mi 7.1
LIFE Prep Saint Paul 1.1 mi 2.6
FACE TO FACE ACADEMY Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.3
Face to Face Academy Online Saint Paul 1.1 mi
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE LOWER Saint Paul 1.4 mi 4.2
Community of Peace Academy Elem Saint Paul 1.3 mi 3.9
Community of Peace Academy High Sch Saint Paul 1.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AFSA HIGH SCHOOL Vadnais Heights, MN 6.4
BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA SEC. Belgrade, MN 6.4
DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River, MN 6.4
Prairie Seeds High School Academy Brooklyn Park, MN 6.4
WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena, MN 6.4
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth, MN 6.5

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 ranks #880 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Step Academy Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Step Academy Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Step Academy Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Step Academy Charter School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.9%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

STEP Academy
District Enrollment
913
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,145
District Rank
#1 of 3

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