Summary:
The Northland Community Schools district in Minnesota is home to two high schools: Northland Secondary and Little Sand. These schools serve students in grades 9-12 and face significant challenges, including small student populations, high poverty rates, and academic performance below state averages.
Northland Secondary has a much larger student body of 131 students, compared to the tiny Little Sand with only 9 students. However, Little Sand has a lower student-teacher ratio of 5.9, suggesting more individualized attention for its small student population. Both schools have high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic challenges in the communities they serve.
Academically, Northland Secondary has struggled, with students scoring well below state averages on the MCA-III math and reading assessments. For example, in 2024-2025, only 11.76% of 11th graders at Northland Secondary were proficient or better in math, compared to the state average of 34.96%. The school's statewide ranking has also declined, dropping from 257 out of 450 schools in 2024-2025 to 388 out of 480 schools in 2023-2024. Addressing these academic gaps and providing adequate resources and support for students should be key priorities for the Northland Community Schools district.
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