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Very Good

#307 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 15% in state

Tri-county Secondary

High School · TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 178, Karlstad, MN 56732

Enrollment

83

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

7.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Karlstad

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#30 of 628

In district

#1 of 2

TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Tri-county Secondary

TRI-COUNTY SECONDARY serves 83 students in grades 7 through 12 in Karlstad, Minnesota, offering a close-knit educational environment with an 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public high school maintains 7 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for each student. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #293 out of 2,027 Minnesota schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.

Students achieve 54% proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels, reflecting steady academic achievement. The surrounding community in ZIP code 56732 has a median household income of $59,079 and a poverty rate of 10.7%, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area features a median home value of $124,000, serving a population of approximately 1,006 residents.

TRI-COUNTY SECONDARY's small size allows for individualized instruction and strong student-teacher relationships, which can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive in intimate learning environments. The school's consistent academic performance suggests effective teaching practices adapted to its student population. Located in Kittson County's remote rural landscape, TRI-COUNTY SECONDARY provides education within Minnesota's agricultural heartland, where students experience the advantages of small-town community connections and rural Minnesota values.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 83 students, Tri-county Secondary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Tri-county Secondary 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,020

Tri-county Secondary — Students at Tri-county Secondary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Tri-county Secondary Compares

See how Tri-county Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MN
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

PO BOX 178, Karlstad, MN 56732

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tri-county Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MARSHALL COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH (rated 7.0/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Newfolden), with a comparable rating. Another option is WARREN-ALVARADO-OSLO SECONDARY (rated 6.4/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Warren), a more accessible option. Additionally, STEPHEN SENIOR HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Stephen), a more accessible option. For more schools in Karlstad, see our Karlstad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 36.8 mi
School Distance Rating
KARLSTAD ELEMENTARY Karlstad 0.0 mi 4.5
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Karlstad 0.6 mi 7.3
MARSHALL COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH Newfolden 17.3 mi 7.0
NEWFOLDEN ELEMENTARY Newfolden 17.4 mi 6.0
GREENBUSH ELEMENTARY Greenbush 17.7 mi 7.6
Greenbush-Middle River Secondary Greenbush 17.7 mi 5.2
VIKING ELEMENTARY Viking 25.0 mi 7.1
STEPHEN SENIOR HIGH Stephen 18.3 mi 6.3
ARGYLE ELEMENTARY Argyle 21.6 mi 8.5
LANCASTER ELEMENTARY Lancaster 23.3 mi 8.0
LANCASTER SECONDARY Lancaster 23.3 mi 6.1
WARREN ELEMENTARY Warren 28.4 mi 5.2
WARREN-ALVARADO-OSLO SECONDARY Warren 28.5 mi 6.4
KITTSON CENTRAL SECONDARY Hallock 24.0 mi 5.9
KITTSON CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Hallock 24.0 mi 5.5
ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL Thief River Falls 35.2 mi 6.6
LINCOLN SENIOR HIGH Thief River Falls 35.3 mi 5.0
NORTHWEST AREA LEARNING CENTER Thief River Falls 35.5 mi
FRANKLIN MIDDLE Thief River Falls 35.9 mi 3.7
CHALLENGER ELEMENTARY Thief River Falls 36.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56732 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,841

Median Home Value

$150,700

Median Rent

$650/mo

Population

978

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

79.3%

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

47.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tri-county Secondary has a median household income of $67,841. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,700, with a median rent of $650/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
WEST EDUCATION CENTER ALTERNATIVE Minnetonka, MN 7.8
CAMPBELL-TINTAH SECONDARY Campbell, MN 7.7
EDVISIONS OFF CAMPUS SCHOOL Henderson, MN 7.7
Tonka Online Minnetonka, MN 7.7
CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF THE ST CROIX VALLEY Stillwater, MN 7.9
INTEGRATED ARTS ACADEMY Chaska, MN 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tri-county Secondary

What grades does Tri-county Secondary serve?

Tri-county Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Tri-county Secondary?

Tri-county Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 83 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tri-county Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Tri-county Secondary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tri-county Secondary rank in MN?

Tri-county Secondary is ranked #307 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Tri-county Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tri-county Secondary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Tri-county Secondary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tri-county Secondary has 49.5% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tri-county Secondary a charter school?

No, Tri-county Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Tri-county Secondary a Title I school?

No, Tri-county Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tri-county Secondary?

49.4% of students at Tri-county Secondary 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
83
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kittson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
176
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,974
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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