Below Average
#1671 of 1,986 schools in MN
Vermilion Country School
High School · Vermilion Country School
PO BOX 629, Tower, MN 55790
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Vermilion Country School — Students at Vermilion Country School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
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: 2.4/10.
How Vermilion Country School Compares
See how Vermilion Country School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (218) 753-1246
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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