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Forest Lake Area High School

Q: Is Forest Lake Area High School a good school?

Forest Lake Area High School ranks 203 rd of 450 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

203^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 450 Minnesota High Schools

Better than 55% of Minnesota high schools

Summary

Forest Lake Area High School is a public high school located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, serving 1,823 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Forest Lake Public School District. While the school has seen a decline in its statewide ranking in recent years, its academic performance on standardized tests has been mixed compared to district and state averages.

On the MCA-III tests, Forest Lake Area High School's proficiency rates were below the district and state in math but slightly above in reading. The school's science performance has been relatively strong, with proficiency rates above the district and state. However, the school has experienced a decline in its four-year graduation rate and an increase in its dropout rate. The school's diverse student population includes a growing percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, which may require targeted interventions to address achievement gaps.

Interestingly, nearby charter schools like LILA Upper School and North Lakes Academy Upper School have consistently outperformed Forest Lake Area High School on MCA-III tests, suggesting that alternative educational models may be more effective in serving the needs of the local community. The school's challenges in maintaining its academic excellence and supporting the diverse needs of its student population will be crucial areas for improvement in the coming years.

1,805

Students ?

24.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,600

Per pupil spending ?

22.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6101 Scandia Tr N
Forest Lake, MN 55025-2698

(651) 982-8401

District: Forest Lake Public School District

Feeder schools for Forest Lake Area High School:

Elementary:	Columbus Elementary
	Forest View Elementary
	Lino Lakes Elementary
	Linwood Elementary
	More...
	Scandia Elementary
	Wyoming Elementary
Middle:	Forest Lake Area Middle School
	Forest Lake Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

78.7%

Asian:

7.5%

Hispanic:

5.2%

See top rated Minnesota high schools

Compare Forest Lake Area High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 90th percentile in 2015 → 55th in 2025

Strengths

✓94% graduate in 4 years — above the Minnesota average (84%)

✓Above the Minnesota median (55th percentile)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Minnesota average (42% vs 47% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 35 percentile points since 2015

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg50%

Minnesota avg47%

203^rd of 450

Minnesota public high schools ?

Top 45%▼ down 35 pts since 2015

From top 10% (2015) to top 45% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2High Schools in the Forest Lake Public School District

200^th of 446Forest Lake Public School District 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	59.8	203 of 450	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.8	210 of 480	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.9	107 of 476	77.5%	★★★★☆
2022	76.0	99 of 472	79.0%	★★★★☆
2021	74.2	91 of 428	78.7%	★★★★☆
2019	82.7	60 of 492	87.8%	★★★★☆
2018	82.2	56 of 494	88.7%	★★★★☆
2017	84.8	45 of 489	90.8%	★★★★★
2016	89.4	27 of 489	94.5%	★★★★★
2015	83.3	51 of 504	89.9%	★★★★★
2014	80.0	74 of 483	84.7%	★★★★☆
2013	73.9	111 of 534	79.2%	★★★★☆
2012	79.5	62 of 539	88.5%	★★★★☆
2011	79.3	67 of 545	87.7%	★★★★☆
2010	79.2	66 of 540	87.8%	★★★★☆
2008	66.8	186 of 460	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	77.4	104 of 463	77.5%	★★★★☆
2006	73.6	127 of 450	71.8%	★★★★☆
2005	68.4	195 of 452	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2004	69.5	165 of 433	61.9%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	41.4	53 of 95	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.7	58 of 109	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	63.7	31 of 98	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	72.3	23 of 102	77.5%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	41.4	35 of 70	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	34.5	45 of 78	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.3	45 of 71	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.3	34 of 68	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.4	47 of 78	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.2	46 of 76	39.5%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2023	35.2	58 of 90	35.6%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	53.5	181 of 358	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.5	195 of 403	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.1	101 of 396	74.5%	★★★★☆
2022	66.6	129 of 388	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.7	126 of 339	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.9	70 of 401	82.5%	★★★★☆
2018	76.0	74 of 395	81.3%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	69.7	30 of 124	75.8%	★★★★☆
2024	81.2	17 of 145	88.3%	★★★★☆
2023	81.3	16 of 136	88.2%	★★★★☆
2021	78.9	17 of 101	83.2%	★★★★☆
2019	52.8	53 of 132	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	84.9	11 of 129	91.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	60.5	121 of 333	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.4	117 of 389	69.9%	★★★★☆
2023	67.1	101 of 393	74.3%	★★★★☆
2022	79.8	41 of 312	86.9%	★★★★☆
2021	65.8	77 of 270	71.5%	★★★★☆
2019	79.2	55 of 370	85.1%	★★★★☆
2018	82.2	45 of 374	88.0%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	53.8	180 of 377	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.2	211 of 405	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	66.4	118 of 398	70.4%	★★★★☆
2022	75.6	78 of 403	80.6%	★★★★☆
2021	75.4	75 of 351	78.6%	★★★★☆
2019	80.5	51 of 411	87.6%	★★★★☆
2018	80.2	52 of 398	86.9%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	39.7	41 of 62	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.8	51 of 72	29.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.0	32 of 64	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	35.6	47 of 74	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.5	31 of 66	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.2	32 of 59	45.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	26.9	151 of 178	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	54.2	94 of 221	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.3	92 of 216	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.7	84 of 214	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	73.0	36 of 173	79.2%	★★★★☆
2019	66.0	54 of 220	75.5%	★★★★☆
2018	52.0	91 of 195	53.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	42.5	234 of 376	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.6	235 of 402	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	62.8	140 of 398	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.0	119 of 401	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	66.5	114 of 364	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.7	68 of 412	83.5%	★★★★☆
2018	75.8	74 of 414	82.1%	★★★★☆

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)

Hispanic (2025)76th percentile+21 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)64th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2025)52nd percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2025)50th percentile-5 vs school

Female (2025)49th percentile-5 vs school

African American (2025)44th percentile-11 vs school

White (2025)38th percentile-17 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)36th percentile-42 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)34th percentile-21 vs school

Special Education (2025)15th percentile-40 vs school

By subject vs Minnesota (2024-2025) ?

Reading49%~ state avg

Math34%-11 vs state

2.3

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, April 2, 2020

The Forest Lake School District is very good. Most parents that give negative reviews are basing it on personal opinion not knowledge or facts. Parents think they can demand what they want and if their child struggles or has issues it is always someones fault. Typically never analyzing their or the child's role in the situation. Now fact, Forest Lake has excellent diversity of programming for students. They offer many opportunities for learning creating a well rounded individual. The math, science is highly rated and if test scores are important to you, science scores are highest in the state! Career and Technical Education offerings are second to none in the area. If I lived in a bordering city to the district, I'd choose Forest Lake even if it meant a little longer bus ride for my children. It's very worth their time. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Very disappointed in the Forest Lake High School. There is rampant drug use by students, poor facilities, and poor administration. There is very little leadership from the school board or superintendant to deal with the many issues. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, April 2, 2012

Terrible math and science departments. Teachers give grades based on favoritism, not intelligence. Extreme drug use (during class time) and lack of preparation for college life. Close Quote

Schools Near Forest Lake Area High School

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 6th Grade	MCA-III Math 7th Grade	MCA-III Math 8th Grade	MCA-III Math 11th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	MCA-III Reading 6th Grade	MCA-III Reading 7th Grade	MCA-III Reading 8th Grade	MCA-III Reading 10th Grade	MCA-III Reading All Grades	Total
Forest Lake Area High School	Public	9-12	6101 Scandia Tr N	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Forest Lake Public School District	No	No	No	No	(651) 982-8401	1,805	74	24.4	22.5%	1,420 (78.7%)	62 (3.4%)	94 (5.2%)	135 (7.5%)	5 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	89 (4.9%)	59.8	203^rd of 450 public high schools	54.9%		59.8	210^th of 480 public high schools	56.3%	7				33.9	33.9				48.8	48.8	$11,600
Step	Public	10-12	200 SW 4th Street	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Forest Lake Public School District	No	No	No	No	(651) 982-8129	47	3	16.6	29.8%	40 (85.1%)	2 (4.3%)	2 (4.3%)	2 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.1%)								(n/a)											$30,569
Community School Credit Recovery	Public	9-12	943 9th Ave SW	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Forest Lake Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(651) 982-3175	34	0		52.9%	27 (79.4%)	1 (2.9%)	2 (5.9%)	2 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.9%)								(n/a)
Forest Lake Area Community School	Public	6-12	943 SW 9th Avenue	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Forest Lake Public School District	No	No	No	No	(651) 982-3171	113	10	11.0	48.7%	80 (70.8%)	5 (4.4%)	13 (11.5%)	5 (4.4%)	2 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (7.1%)	7.7	430^th of 450 public high schools	4.4%		4.4	471^st of 480 public high schools	1.9%	41		5.3	16.7	2.7	7.5		21.1	30.4	16.7	22.7	$22,701
Forest Lake Therapeutic Education	Public	7-12	943 9th Ave SW	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Forest Lake Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(651) 982-3175	4	0			3 (75.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (25.0%)								(n/a)
North Lakes Academy 7-12 Campus	Public, Charter	7-12	308 15th St SW	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	North Lakes Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(651) 982-2688	245	17	14.5	37.6%	200 (81.6%)	5 (2.0%)	21 (8.6%)	7 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.9%)	35.4	316^th of 450 public high schools	29.8%		71.6	130^th of 480 public high schools	72.9%	186		18.9	15.6	15.2	16.5		27.0	24.4	42.9	31.5	$11,926
Online Learning Program	Public, Charter	6-12	19850 Fenway Ave N	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Lakes International Language Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(651) 464-8989	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
LILA Upper School	Public, Charter	6-12	19850 Fenway Avenue N	Forest Lake	55025	Washington County	Lakes International Language Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(651) 464-8989	579	43	13.6	15.4%	444 (76.7%)	12 (2.1%)	68 (11.7%)	21 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (5.7%)	89.6	28^th of 450 public high schools	93.8%		79.7	77^th of 480 public high schools	84.0%	49	35.7	37.9	32.1	46.8	37.4	62.1	47.1	56.8	73.3	59.0	$11,480
White Bear Transition Plus Program	Public	12	14895 Francesca Ave. N	Hugo	55038	Washington County	White Bear Lake School District	No	No	No	No	(651) 773-6051	51	7	7.6	51.0%	26 (51.0%)	8 (15.7%)	9 (17.6%)	6 (11.8%)	1 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.0%)								(n/a)											$47,936
Aware	Public	6-12	14895 Francesca Avenue North	Hugo	55038	Washington County	White Bear Lake School District	No	No	No	No	(651) 773-6051	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)											$2,525

Frequently Asked Questions about Forest Lake Area High School

How many students attend Forest Lake Area High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,805 students attended Forest Lake Area High School.

What schools feed into Forest Lake Area High School?

Forest Lake Area High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Columbus Elementary
Elementary : Forest View Elementary
Elementary : Lino Lakes Elementary
Elementary : Linwood Elementary
Elementary : Scandia Elementary
Elementary : Wyoming Elementary
Middle : Forest Lake Area Middle School
Middle : Forest Lake Elementary

Is Forest Lake Area High School a good school?

Forest Lake Area High School ranks 203^rd of 450 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Forest Lake Area High School in?

Forest Lake Public School District

What is the racial makeup of Forest Lake Area High School?

Students at Forest Lake Area High School are 79% White, 7% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American.

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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.