South Koochiching School District

The South Koochiching School District in Minnesota operates two schools: Northome Elementary and Northome Secondary. Both schools serve a predominantly low-income student population and have consistently performed below state averages on key metrics such as test scores, graduation rates, and student-teacher ratios.

Neither Northome Elementary nor Northome Secondary can be considered standout schools in the district. Northome Elementary is ranked 621 out of 872 Minnesota elementary schools and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, while Northome Secondary is ranked 379 out of 450 Minnesota high schools and also has a 1-star rating. Both schools perform significantly below the state average on MCA-III Math and Reading proficiency, with Northome Secondary's 11th-grade Math proficiency at 0% compared to the state average of 34.96%.

The high free and reduced lunch rates at both schools, 76.09% at Northome Elementary and 56.67% at Northome Secondary, suggest that the South Koochiching School District serves a predominantly low-income student population, which may contribute to the schools' academic struggles. Additionally, the relatively low student-teacher ratios at both schools could indicate staffing challenges or difficulty attracting and retaining high-quality teachers. Overall, the data paints a concerning picture of the South Koochiching School District, with both schools performing well below state averages on a range of key metrics and showing little improvement over time.