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Below Average

#1671 of 1,986 schools in MN

Vermilion Country School

High School · Vermilion Country School

PO BOX 629, Tower, MN 55790

Charter

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

4.9

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tower

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#513 of 628

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Vermilion Country School

Vermilion Country School is a charter high school located in the remote rural area of Tower, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 52 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 with three full-time equivalent teachers. Vermilion Country School focuses on providing personalized education to its small community of learners.

Academically, the school is rated at 3.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 1869th out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it in the 8th percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to enhance its academic offerings and support for student development.

Set against a backdrop of rural Minnesota, Vermilion Country School nurtures a tight-knit community focused on individual growth and educational needs.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Vermilion Country School 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.

Vermilion Country 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.

Located in a rural area, Vermilion Country School 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 Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,963

Vermilion Country School — Students at Vermilion Country School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.2%
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
25%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
10%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Vermilion Country School Compares

See how Vermilion Country School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
16th percentile in MN
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO BOX 629, Tower, MN 55790

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vermilion Country School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 (rated 7.3/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Virginia), which scores notably higher. Another option is EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE (rated 7.3/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Mountain Iron), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Ely), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tower, see our Tower schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Tower-Soudan Elementary Tower 0.5 mi 7.1
MESABI EAST ELEMENTARY Aurora 18.8 mi 6.0
MESABI EAST SECONDARY Aurora 18.8 mi 3.5
BABBITT ELEMENTARY Babbitt 16.6 mi 4.6
NORTHEAST RANGE SECONDARY Babbitt 16.6 mi 5.0
NLC Transition Program Virginia 22.4 mi
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia 22.8 mi 6.0
Parkview Elementary Virginia 22.7 mi 6.2
NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 020 Virginia 23.6 mi 7.8
NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia 23.6 mi 7.3
Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia 24.9 mi 5.2
Laurentian Elementary Eveleth 25.1 mi 6.4
EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron 24.0 mi 7.3
North Star Elementary Eveleth 26.0 mi 7.2
MERRITT ELEMENTARY Mountain Iron 24.4 mi 7.7
MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron 24.4 mi 4.8
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Ely 20.7 mi 6.4
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Ely 20.7 mi 6.7
Memorial Middle School Ely 20.7 mi 6.5
NORTH WOODS ELEMENTARY Cook 23.6 mi 9.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55790 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,732

Median Home Value

$297,900

Median Rent

$630/mo

Population

1,933

College Educated

33.6%

Homeownership

88%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

61.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vermilion Country School has a median household income of $74,732. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $297,900, with a median rent of $630/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
ELLSWORTH SECONDARY Ellsworth, MN 4.9
Learning Center Night Worthington, MN 4.9
MORA ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER Mora, MN 4.8
RIVERWAY SECONDARY Winona, MN 4.8
School #527 Hopkins, MN 5.1
South Campus Education Center White Bear Lake, MN 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vermilion Country School

What grades does Vermilion Country School serve?

Vermilion Country School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Vermilion Country School?

Vermilion Country School has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vermilion Country School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vermilion Country School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vermilion Country School rank in MN?

Vermilion Country School is ranked #1671 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Vermilion Country School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vermilion Country School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Vermilion Country School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vermilion Country School has 25.0% math proficiency and 28.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vermilion Country School a charter school?

Yes, Vermilion Country School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Vermilion Country School a Title I school?

No, Vermilion Country School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vermilion Country School?

67.3% of students at Vermilion Country 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

County Safety
Average (251/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
St. Louis County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Vermilion Country School
District Enrollment
52
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,239
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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