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
Enrollment
83
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Tri-county Secondary — Students at Tri-county Secondary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.4%
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: 7.2/10.
How Tri-county Secondary Compares
See how Tri-county Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (218) 436-2261
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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