North Star Academy

Summary:

North Star Academy is a public charter elementary school serving grades K-8 in Duluth, Minnesota, part of the Duluth Public School District. While the school has seen a decline in its statewide ranking over the past decade, it stands out for its diverse student population and relatively low student-teacher ratio compared to nearby public schools.

North Star Academy has a more racially diverse student body than many of its neighbors, with 74.86% White, 5.03% African American, 4.47% Hispanic, and 10.61% two or more races. However, the school has also seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, rising from 31.33% in 2020-2021 to 48.6% in 2022-2023, indicating a growing population of economically disadvantaged students. Despite its low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 9:1 to 13.1:1 over the past three school years, North Star Academy's academic performance, as measured by MCA-III proficiency rates, is generally below the state and district averages, particularly in math.

Comparing North Star Academy to nearby public schools, it is clear that the school is underperforming academically. Schools like Congdon Elementary, Hermantown Elementary, and Homecroft Elementary have significantly higher proficiency rates in both math and reading, as well as higher overall statewide rankings. North Star Academy's leadership and the Duluth Public School District will need to carefully examine these issues and implement targeted strategies to improve student outcomes and the school's overall standing.


Detail:

Public, Charter K-8

 3301 Technology Dr
       Duluth, MN  55811-4115


(218) 728-9556

District: Duluth Public Schools Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
630th of 881 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,617 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  10.7 Help
Number of students:  590

Racial breakdown:

White:
70.8%
Two or more races:
13.2%
African American:
6.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  54.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details North Star Academy ranks worse than 71.5% of elementary schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.7. (See more...)
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Compare Details North Star Academy ranks worse than 62.9% of middle schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.64. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (70.8%), two or more races (13.2%), African American (6.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 54.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at North Star Academy is 10.7. (See more...)
Help
Compare North Star Academy employs 54.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at North Star Academy is $14,617.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

North Star Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks North Star Academy 630th of 881 Minnesota public elementary schools. (See North Star Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks North Star Academy 343rd of 545 Minnesota public middle schools. (See North Star Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Native American students:
White students:


Duluth Public Schools Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Duluth Public Schools Academy 319th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for North Star Academy.

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Rank History for North Star Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 49.39 424th 674 37.1%
2004 68.70 203rd 676 70.0%
2005 56.84 354th 685 48.3%
2006 61.64 313th 756 58.6%
2007 51.17 466th 777 40.0%
2008 63.08 320th 781 59.0%
2010 60.65 370th 803 53.9%
2011 61.58 366th 814 55.0%
2012 56.68 447th 820 45.5%
2013 69.36 245th 824 70.3%
2014 65.85 309th 826 62.6%
2015 46.63 549th 840 34.6%
2016 57.65 424th 848 50.0%
2017 53.03 478th 853 44.0%
2018 58.68 402nd 847 52.5%
2019 51.24 505th 870 42.0%
2021 47.84 541st 869 37.7%
2022 40.97 578th 858 32.6%
2023 33.59 610th 845 27.8%
2024 33.70 630th 881 28.5%
See the entire list of Minnesota Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Multi-racial students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.05 52nd 98 46.9%
2019 46.03 54th 96 43.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.57 369th 463 20.3%
2019 32.78 372nd 515 27.8%
2021 27.03 338th 417 18.9%
2022 45.40 283rd 500 43.4%
2023 38.32 341st 524 34.9%
2024 45.55 316th 572 44.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.47 391st 728 46.3%
2019 53.49 362nd 740 51.1%
2021 37.38 464th 683 32.1%
2022 32.78 476th 663 28.2%
2023 37.20 525th 774 32.2%
2024 43.20 484th 793 39.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.29 366th 774 52.7%
2019 49.63 483rd 787 38.6%
2021 50.07 455th 783 41.9%
2022 41.31 532nd 799 33.4%
2023 32.98 577th 787 26.7%
2024 33.88 580th 809 28.3%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.15 425th 779 45.4%
2019 50.10 467th 798 41.5%
2021 41.34 536th 784 31.6%
2022 38.51 569th 808 29.6%
2023 32.48 587th 799 26.5%
2024 31.72 607th 826 26.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.13 470th 712 34.0%
2019 35.09 551st 722 23.7%
2021 29.34 579th 710 18.5%
2022 19.10 658th 725 9.2%
2023 14.70 661st 712 7.2%
2024 20.52 649th 730 11.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for North Star Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 64.73 169th 469 64.0%
2013 63.38 165th 488 66.2%
2014 57.82 209th 490 57.3%
2015 48.58 271st 516 47.5%
2016 55.47 231st 508 54.5%
2017 48.18 295th 523 43.6%
2018 55.96 246th 518 52.5%
2019 57.29 231st 533 56.7%
2021 54.02 225th 521 56.8%
2022 45.21 291st 520 44.0%
2023 38.22 337th 529 36.3%
2024 38.64 343rd 545 37.1%
See the entire list of Minnesota Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Multi-racial students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.46 72nd 114 36.8%
2022 64.10 40th 131 69.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.15 139th 253 45.1%
2019 46.46 151st 282 46.5%
2021 28.56 208th 260 20.0%
2022 40.60 179th 288 37.8%
2023 29.59 222nd 298 25.5%
2024 46.36 154th 307 49.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.39 208th 401 48.1%
2019 65.65 114th 415 72.5%
2021 48.22 201st 399 49.6%
2022 50.09 196th 404 51.5%
2023 37.41 294th 459 35.9%
2024 37.09 315th 473 33.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.42 223rd 436 48.9%
2019 50.06 235th 439 46.5%
2021 52.30 197th 443 55.5%
2022 50.22 227th 467 51.4%
2023 38.32 302nd 455 33.6%
2024 34.16 330th 474 30.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.21 222nd 438 49.3%
2019 58.29 186th 454 59.0%
2021 49.24 222nd 437 49.2%
2022 34.99 323rd 476 32.1%
2023 34.73 309th 464 33.4%
2024 39.11 299th 479 37.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Native American students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 95.61 1st 23 95.7%
2024 42.68 34th 55 38.2%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at North Star Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.30 290th 428 32.2%
2019 40.10 276th 428 35.5%
2021 42.32 244th 422 42.2%
2022 30.88 323rd 438 26.3%
2023 29.80 333rd 436 23.6%
2024 29.11 343rd 440 22.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

North Star Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

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0%

0%

  

by a parent
Thursday, November 9, 2017

Open Quote North Star is the best middle school in the area, period. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, May 12, 2017

Open Quote The reason we choose to enroll our child was because of their strong commitment to a balanced education. This school offers more music and arts time, and more recess compared to the Duluth Public Schools, and starts children learning Spanish in kindergarten and they continue to learn Spanish until 8th grade. North Star also has a longer school day than the public school system which helps with needing to find after school care. The teachers, administration, and auxiliary staff are all fantastic. Close Quote



Enrollment information for North Star Academy

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 273 12 1 12 9 n/a n/a 0 307
1999 331 19 82 9 9 n/a n/a 0 450
2000 364 11 3 9 11 n/a n/a 0 398
2001 384 13 1 7 9 n/a n/a 0 414
2002 361 20 6 3 19 n/a n/a 0 409
2003 361 20 6 3 19 n/a n/a 0 409
2004 353 16 8 7 15 n/a n/a 0 399
2005 312 34 9 6 17 n/a n/a 0 378
2006 313 32 6 8 5 n/a n/a 0 364
2007 290 35 12 7 14 n/a n/a 0 358
2008 329 29 13 7 6 n/a n/a 0 384
2009 331 34 14 13 7 n/a n/a 0 399
2010 372 40 14 14 9 n/a n/a 0 449
2011 387 16 9 27 8 1 32 0 480
2012 713 41 14 43 16 0 74 0 901
2013 776 45 14 39 20 0 75 0 969
2014 821 34 14 34 21 0 100 0 1024
2015 837 36 15 39 18 0 106 0 1051
2016 872 29 14 35 22 1 118 0 1091
2017 864 42 16 47 24 0 129 0 1122
2018 842 47 12 45 17 0 130 0 1093
2019 802 52 4 41 29 0 120 0 1048
2020 766 49 4 35 48 0 83 0 985
2021 651 43 3 31 37 2 82 0 849
2022 584 47 5 37 28 2 73 0 776
2023 536 36 5 32 29 2 76 0 716
2024 418 39 2 33 18 2 78 0 590

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at North Star Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 307 n/a 0.0 28
1999 450 27.6 16.3 23.1
2000 398 28.2 14.1 30.9
2001 414 28.6 14.5 30.7
2002 409 25.3 16.2 38.1
2003 409 25.3 16.2 38.1
2004 399 26.1 15.3 37.1
2005 378 24.3 15.6 41.8
2006 364 25.5 14.3 38.7
2007 358 25.3 14.2 36.9
2008 384 23.9 16.1 38
2009 399 27.0 14.8 41.6
2010 449 27.3 16.4 42.5
2011 480 28.0 17.1 42.7
2012 901 63.5 14.1 42.7
2013 969 69.2 14.0 40.8
2014 1024 75.3 13.5 40.6
2015 1051 83.0 12.6 34.9
2016 1091 89.0 12.2 33.3
2017 1122 94.0 11.9 33.4
2018 1093 95.7 11.4 34.5
2019 1048 88.5 11.8 38.3
2020 985 83.0 11.8 34.1
2021 849 64.6 13.1 31.3
2022 776 85.3 9.0 32.5
2023 716 64.6 11.0 48.6
2024 590 54.8 10.7 54.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio North Star Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 307 n/a 0.0 28
1999 450 27.6 16.3 23.1
2000 398 28.2 14.1 30.9
2001 414 28.6 14.5 30.7
2002 409 25.3 16.2 38.1
2003 409 25.3 16.2 38.1
2004 399 26.1 15.3 37.1
2005 378 24.3 15.6 41.8
2006 364 25.5 14.3 38.7
2007 358 25.3 14.2 36.9
2008 384 23.9 16.1 38
2009 399 27.0 14.8 41.6
2010 449 27.3 16.4 42.5
2011 480 28.0 17.1 42.7
2012 901 63.5 14.1 42.7
2013 969 69.2 14.0 40.8
2014 1024 75.3 13.5 40.6
2015 1051 83.0 12.6 34.9
2016 1091 89.0 12.2 33.3
2017 1122 94.0 11.9 33.4
2018 1093 95.7 11.4 34.5
2019 1048 88.5 11.8 38.3
2020 985 83.0 11.8 34.1
2021 849 64.6 13.1 31.3
2022 776 85.3 9.0 32.5
2023 716 64.6 11.0 48.6
2024 590 54.8 10.7 54.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for North Star Academy

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $14,617

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on North Star Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 505th of 870 Elementary schoolsRanks 610th of 845 Elementary schools
 14.1%
Ranks 231st of 533 Middle schoolsRanks 337th of 529 Middle schools
 20.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (North Star Academy)6054.1
 5.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Duluth Public Schools Academy)58.647.4
 11.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Minnesota)65.659.1
 6.5%
3rd Grade Reading (North Star Academy)52.340.2
 12.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Duluth Public Schools Academy)49.436.4
 12.9%
   3rd Grade Reading (Minnesota)54.647.4
 7.2%
4th Grade Math (North Star Academy)6946.3
 22.7%
   4th Grade Math (Duluth Public Schools Academy)68.944.7
 24.3%
   4th Grade Math (Minnesota)63.957.1
 6.8%
4th Grade Reading (North Star Academy)51.949.3
 2.6%
   4th Grade Reading (Duluth Public Schools Academy)4945.2
 3.9%
   4th Grade Reading (Minnesota)55.448.4
 7.1%
5th Grade Math (North Star Academy)47.618.8
 28.8%
   5th Grade Math (Duluth Public Schools Academy)46.817.3
 29.5%
   5th Grade Math (Minnesota)5244.4
 7.6%
5th Grade Reading (North Star Academy)56.239.5
 16.7%
   5th Grade Reading (Duluth Public Schools Academy)58.942.3
 16.5%
   5th Grade Reading (Minnesota)65.858.7
 7%
5th Grade Science (North Star Academy)5042.5
 7.5%
   5th Grade Science (Duluth Public Schools Academy)49.438
 11.4%
   5th Grade Science (Minnesota)54.948.4
 6.5%
6th Grade Math (North Star Academy)53.116.4
 36.8%
   6th Grade Math (Duluth Public Schools Academy)53.116.4
 36.8%
   6th Grade Math (Minnesota)50.539.7
 10.8%
6th Grade Reading (North Star Academy)60.938.7
 22.3%
   6th Grade Reading (Duluth Public Schools Academy)60.938.7
 22.3%
   6th Grade Reading (Minnesota)62.853.4
 9.4%
7th Grade Math (North Star Academy)45.722.8
 22.9%
   7th Grade Math (Duluth Public Schools Academy)45.722.8
 22.9%
   7th Grade Math (Minnesota)52.139.7
 12.4%
7th Grade Reading (North Star Academy)55.836.6
 19.2%
   7th Grade Reading (Duluth Public Schools Academy)55.836.6
 19.2%
   7th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.545.2
 12.3%
8th Grade Math (North Star Academy)50.426.8
 23.6%
   8th Grade Math (Duluth Public Schools Academy)50.426.8
 23.6%
   8th Grade Math (Minnesota)55.240.3
 14.9%
8th Grade Reading (North Star Academy)60.247.1
 13.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Duluth Public Schools Academy)60.247.1
 13.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.744.8
 12.9%
8th Grade Science (North Star Academy)37.629.6
 8%
   8th Grade Science (Duluth Public Schools Academy)37.629.6
 8%
   8th Grade Science (Minnesota)4327.6
 15.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students1048716
 31.7%
African American5236
 30.8%
American Indian2929
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic4132
 22%
Pacific Islander02
White802536
 33.2%
Two or More Races12076
 36.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients38.3%48.6%
 10.3%


Schools Near North Star Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about North Star Academy

North Star Academy ranks 630th of 881 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 590 students attended North Star Academy.

Students at North Star Academy are 71% White, 13% Two or more races, 7% African American, 6% Hispanic, 3% American Indian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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