Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

North Star Academy

Q: Is North Star Academy a good school?

North Star Academy ranks 577 th of 872 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades PK, KG-8

577^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 872 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Better than 34% of Minnesota elementary schools

Summary

North Star Academy is a public charter elementary school serving 590 students in grades K-8 in Duluth, Minnesota. The school is part of the Duluth Public Schools Academy district, which is ranked 312 out of 446 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

North Star Academy faces several challenges, including lower academic performance compared to state and district averages. In the 2024-2025 school year, the school's overall Math proficiency rate was 30.13%, compared to the state average of 45.21% and the district average of 30.14%. In Reading, North Star Academy's proficiency rate was 42.82%, compared to the state average of 49.59% and the district average of 42.83%. The school's performance is particularly low for certain student subgroups, though it performs better for Special Education students. North Star Academy's statewide ranking has declined over the past several years, from 402 out of 847 Minnesota elementary schools in 2017-2018 to 577 out of 872 in 2024-2025, and its SchoolDigger rating has decreased from 3 stars to 2 stars in recent years.

Comparing North Star Academy to nearby public elementary schools, such as Lester Park Elementary, Homecroft Elementary, and Lowell Elementary Spanish Immersion, reveals that these schools have significantly higher proficiency rates in Math and Reading, as well as higher statewide rankings and SchoolDigger ratings. The increasing percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at North Star Academy may be a contributing factor to its lower academic performance, but the school's stronger performance for Special Education students suggests that it may have effective strategies in place for supporting students with special needs.

572

Students ?

10.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,617

Per pupil spending ?

50.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3301 Technology Dr
Duluth, MN 55811-4115

(218) 728-9556

District: Duluth Public Schools Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

67.3%

Two or more races:

16.8%

African American:

7.7%

See top rated Minnesota elementary schools

Compare North Star Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 35th percentile in 2015 → 34th in 2025

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Minnesota average (37% vs 47% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Math scores 15 pts below the Minnesota average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school37%

District avg37%

Minnesota avg47%

Elementary school

577^th of 872

Minnesota public elementary schools ?

Bottom 34%▼ down 1 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

347^th of 519

Minnesota public middle schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 14 pts since 2015

From bottom 47% (2015) to bottom 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Elementary Schools in the Duluth Public Schools Academy

312^th of 446Duluth Public Schools Academy among Minnesota districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	39.5	577 of 872	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.7	630 of 881	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.6	610 of 845	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	41.0	578 of 858	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.8	541 of 869	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.2	505 of 870	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.7	402 of 847	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	53.0	478 of 853	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	57.7	424 of 848	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	46.6	549 of 840	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	65.8	309 of 826	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	69.4	245 of 824	70.3%	★★★★☆
2012	56.7	447 of 820	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	61.6	366 of 814	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	60.7	370 of 803	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2008	63.1	320 of 781	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2007	51.2	466 of 777	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	61.6	313 of 756	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2005	56.8	354 of 685	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2004	68.7	203 of 676	70.0%	★★★★☆
2003	49.4	424 of 674	37.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	44.4	487 of 799	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.9	580 of 809	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.0	577 of 787	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	41.3	532 of 799	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.1	455 of 783	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.6	483 of 787	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	59.3	366 of 774	52.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	49.3	391 of 764	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.2	484 of 793	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.2	525 of 774	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.8	476 of 663	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	37.4	464 of 683	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	53.5	362 of 740	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.5	391 of 728	46.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	30.1	614 of 812	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.7	607 of 826	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	32.5	587 of 799	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.5	569 of 808	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	41.3	536 of 784	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	50.1	467 of 798	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.1	425 of 779	45.4%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2019	46.0	54 of 96	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	47.0	52 of 98	46.9%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	25.7	30 of 38	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	55.5	215 of 562	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.6	316 of 572	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.3	341 of 524	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	45.4	283 of 500	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.0	338 of 417	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	32.8	372 of 515	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.6	369 of 463	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	29.3	574 of 714	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.5	649 of 730	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.7	661 of 712	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	19.1	658 of 725	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	29.3	579 of 710	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	35.1	551 of 722	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	41.1	470 of 712	34.0%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	36.7	347 of 519	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.6	343 of 545	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.2	337 of 529	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	45.2	291 of 520	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	54.0	225 of 521	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.3	231 of 533	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.0	246 of 518	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	48.2	295 of 523	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	55.5	231 of 508	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	48.6	271 of 516	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2014	57.8	209 of 490	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	63.4	165 of 488	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	64.7	169 of 469	64.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	34.4	309 of 450	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.2	330 of 474	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.3	302 of 455	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	50.2	227 of 467	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.3	197 of 443	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.1	235 of 439	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	53.4	223 of 436	48.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	28.8	332 of 432	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.1	315 of 473	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.4	294 of 459	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	50.1	196 of 404	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.2	201 of 399	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	65.7	114 of 415	72.5%	★★★★☆
2018	51.4	208 of 401	48.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	35.3	308 of 452	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.1	299 of 479	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.7	309 of 464	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	35.0	323 of 476	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.2	222 of 437	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	58.3	186 of 454	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.2	222 of 438	49.3%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2022	64.1	40 of 131	69.5%	★★★★☆
2018	40.5	72 of 114	36.8%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2024	42.7	34 of 55	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	95.6	1 of 23	95.7%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	53.5	114 of 265	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.4	154 of 307	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	29.6	222 of 298	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	40.6	179 of 288	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	28.6	208 of 260	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	46.5	151 of 282	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.2	139 of 253	45.1%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	22.6	358 of 415	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.1	343 of 440	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.8	333 of 436	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.9	323 of 438	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	42.3	244 of 422	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.1	276 of 428	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.3	290 of 428	32.2%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Special Education (2025)62nd percentile+28 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)49th percentile+15 vs school

Multi-racial (2019)44th percentile~ school

Female (2025)39th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)24th percentile-9 vs school

Native American (2025)21st percentile-13 vs school

White (2025)20th percentile-14 vs school

Middle school

Multi-racial (2022)69th percentile+25 vs school

Special Education (2025)57th percentile+24 vs school

Native American (2024)38th percentile~ school

Male (2025)32nd percentile~ school

Female (2025)31st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)23rd percentile-10 vs school

White (2025)14th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Minnesota (2024-2025) ?

Reading43%-7 vs state

Math30%-15 vs state

5.0

4 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate North Star Academy

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, November 9, 2017

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

by a parent
Friday, May 12, 2017

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

Schools Near North Star Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MCA-III Math (2025)							MCA-III Reading (2025)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-III Math 3rd Grade	MCA-III Math 4th Grade	MCA-III Math 5th Grade	MCA-III Math 6th Grade	MCA-III Math 7th Grade	MCA-III Math 8th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	MCA-III Reading 3rd Grade	MCA-III Reading 4th Grade	MCA-III Reading 5th Grade	MCA-III Reading 6th Grade	MCA-III Reading 7th Grade	MCA-III Reading 8th Grade	MCA-III Reading All Grades	Total
North Star Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	3301 Technology Dr	Duluth	55811	St. Louis County	Duluth Public Schools Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(218) 728-9556	572	55	10.4	50.5%	385 (67.3%)	44 (7.7%)	25 (4.4%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (3.5%)	1 (0.2%)	96 (16.8%)	39.5	577^th of 872 public elementary schools	33.8%		33.7	630^th of 881 public elementary schools	28.5%	53	63.2	42.9	19.7	27.3	20.3	20.2	30.1	45.8	35.4	48.1	45.5	39.7	41.4	42.8	$14,617
Lowell Elementary	Public	K-5	2000 Rice Lake Rd	Duluth	55811	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 336-8895	312	27	11.3	44.2%	208 (66.7%)	13 (4.2%)	14 (4.5%)	5 (1.6%)	31 (9.9%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (13.1%)	49.5	478^th of 872 public elementary schools	45.2%		47.8	521^st of 881 public elementary schools	40.9%	43	54.6	56.8	31.5				47.1	40.0	45.5	57.4				47.7	$13,604
Lowell Elementary Spanish Immersion	Public	K-5	2000 Rice Lake Rd	Duluth	55811	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	No	(218) 336-8895	329	18	18.4	14.3%	268 (81.5%)	3 (0.9%)	38 (11.6%)	2 (0.6%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.9%)	72.6	236^th of 872 public elementary schools	72.9%		73.4	222^nd of 881 public elementary schools	74.8%	14	67.2	63.3	54.4				62.2	52.5	55.1	65.2				57.1
Homecroft Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4784 Howard Gnesen Rd	Duluth	55803	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	No	(218) 336-8865	448	25	17.7	26.3%	417 (93.1%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.1%)	83.7	105^th of 872 public elementary schools	88.0%		90.1	39^th of 881 public elementary schools	95.6%	66	71.2	68.5	66.2				68.6	60.3	57.5	81.8				66.8	$13,660
Myers-Wilkins Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1027 N 8th Ave E	Duluth	55805	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 336-8860	329	43	7.7	84.8%	119 (36.2%)	58 (17.6%)	17 (5.2%)	2 (0.6%)	36 (10.9%)	1 (0.3%)	96 (29.2%)	15.7	747^th of 872 public elementary schools	14.3%		9.7	793^rd of 881 public elementary schools	10.0%	46	39.2	12.5	4.9				20.0	40.4	20.4	20.9				27.8	$18,907
Piedmont Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2827 Chambersburg Ave	Duluth	55811	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 336-8950	410	41	10.1	58.3%	270 (65.9%)	32 (7.8%)	16 (3.9%)	2 (0.5%)	26 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (15.6%)	68.4	289^th of 872 public elementary schools	66.9%		56	427^th of 881 public elementary schools	51.5%	138	54.4	66.7	50.0				57.4	50.0	63.9	58.8				57.7	$15,315
Congdon Elementary	Public	K-5	3116 E Superior St	Duluth	55812	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	No	(218) 336-8825	474	28	16.6	20.7%	402 (84.8%)	7 (1.5%)	20 (4.2%)	7 (1.5%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	33 (7.0%)	84.8	95^th of 872 public elementary schools	89.1%		89.6	46^th of 881 public elementary schools	94.8%	49	75.0	66.7	53.9				64.2	64.7	64.6	89.0				73.9	$12,698
Hermantown Elementary	Public	K-4	5365 W Arrowhead	Hermantown	55811	St. Louis County	Hermantown Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 729-6891	731	45	16.1	17.4%	648 (88.6%)	4 (0.5%)	24 (3.3%)	9 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (6.0%)	71.6	248^th of 872 public elementary schools	71.6%		75.2	199^th of 881 public elementary schools	77.4%	49	73.9	59.4					65.9	54.5	52.7					53.5	$9,348
Lester Park Elementary	Public	K-5	5300 Glenwood St	Duluth	55804	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	No	(218) 336-8875	510	38	13.3	21.2%	453 (88.8%)	8 (1.6%)	13 (2.5%)	7 (1.4%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.7%)	82.2	121^st of 872 public elementary schools	86.1%		83.7	104^th of 881 public elementary schools	88.2%	17	72.0	74.4	54.4				66.7	57.3	61.5	75.0				65.0	$13,351
Laura MacArthur Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	720 N Central Ave	Duluth	55807	St. Louis County	Duluth Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 336-8900	277	33	8.4	69.7%	179 (64.6%)	24 (8.7%)	9 (3.2%)	1 (0.4%)	21 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (15.5%)	18.7	722^nd of 872 public elementary schools	17.2%		16.2	755^th of 881 public elementary schools	14.3%	33	22.0	26.7	22.7				23.7	31.4	34.1	36.4				33.8	$17,576

Frequently Asked Questions about North Star Academy

How many students attend North Star Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 572 students attended North Star Academy.

Is North Star Academy a good school?

North Star Academy ranks 577^th of 872 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is North Star Academy in?

Duluth Public Schools Academy

What is the racial makeup of North Star Academy?

Students at North Star Academy are 67% White, 17% Two or more races, 8% African American, 4% Hispanic, 3% American Indian.

Rate North Star Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MNMinnesota Elementary School Rankings

MNMinnesota District Rankings

Schools in Duluth, MN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for North Star Academy!

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.