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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 96 th of 473 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

96^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 473 Minnesota High Schools

Better than 80% of Minnesota high schools

Summary

Forest Lake Area High School is a large public high school in Forest Lake, MN, serving grades 9–12 with about 1,805 students as part of the Forest Lake Public School District. In 2025–2026 it ranked 96 of 473 (80th percentile, 4 stars), higher than its district's overall standing of 172 of 458 (62nd percentile, 3 stars). The rank history shows a rebound: the school sat at the 94th percentile in 2015–2016, slipped to 55th and 56th percentile in 2024–2025 and 2023–2024, then jumped back to the 80th percentile.

Science is this school's clear signature strength and is not a one-year fluke. In 2025–2026, End of Course science was 58% at the school versus 35% statewide, and the all-grades science rate was 58% versus 25.5% statewide—more than double the state. Math and reading are more mixed. At the tested high school grades, 11th-grade math was 40.6% (above district and state) and 10th-grade reading was 41.9% (above district, essentially at state), though all-grade reading declined from 48.75% in 2024–2025 to 41.9% in 2025–2026. Graduation and dropout rates remain better than district and state—88.7% graduation and 3.8% dropout in 2024–2025—but both softened from the prior year's 93.8% and 1.3%, a trend worth watching.

Subgroup effectiveness improved broadly in 2025–2026, with Low Socio Economic Status, Special Education, Hispanic, Male, African American, White and Multi-racial students all reaching 4 stars; Special Education rose from the 15th to the 81st percentile in a single year. Compared with nearby schools, this school holds the highest overall rank among those ranked, ahead of LILA Upper School (127 of 473) and North Lakes Academy 7-12 Campus (239 of 473), and its science results far exceed theirs. LILA still outperforms in reading, graduation and dropout, and serves a lower-poverty population. Note that many nearby options, such as Forest Lake Area Community School, Step and Community School Credit Recovery, are much smaller alternative programs with different missions and student populations.

1,805

Students ?

24.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,600

Per pupil spending ?

22.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Minnesota receive free school meals.

6101 Scandia Tr N
Forest Lake, MN 55025-2698

(651) 982-8401

District: Forest Lake Public School District

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 — 94th percentile in 2016 → 80th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota high schools

✓89% graduate in 4 years — above the Minnesota average (85%)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 14 percentile points since 2016

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

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school47%

District avg47%

Minnesota avg43%

96^th of 473

Minnesota public high schools ?

Top 20%▼ down 15 pts since 2016

From top 6% (2016) to top 20% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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

172^nd of 458Forest 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
2026	76.2	96 of 473	79.7%	★★★★☆
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
2026	70.0	23 of 114	79.8%	★★★★☆
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
2026	51.5	32 of 78	59.0%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	67.2	128 of 398	67.8%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	76.8	25 of 135	81.5%	★★★★☆
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
2026	74.2	71 of 377	81.2%	★★★★☆
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
2026	76.4	76 of 395	80.8%	★★★★☆
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
2026	63.2	22 of 75	70.7%	★★★★☆
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
2026	70.3	43 of 224	80.8%	★★★★☆
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
2026	68.0	100 of 394	74.6%	★★★★☆
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 (2026)81st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)81st percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)81st percentile~ school

Male (2026)81st percentile~ school

African American (2026)80th percentile~ school

White (2026)75th percentile-5 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)71st percentile-9 vs school

Female (2026)68th percentile-12 vs school

Asian (2026)59th percentile-21 vs school

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

By subject vs Minnesota (2025-2026) ?

Science58%+32 vs state

Reading42%-7 vs state

Math41%-4 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

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCA-IV Reading (2026)					MCA-IV Science (2026)			MCA-III Math (2026)					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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-IV Reading 6th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 7th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 8th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 10th Grade	MCA-IV Reading All Grades	MCA-IV Science 8th Grade	MCA-IV Science End of Course	MCA-IV Science All Grades	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	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%)	76.2	96^th of 473 public high schools	79.7%		59.8	203^rd of 450 public high schools	54.9%	107				41.9	41.9		58.0	58.0				40.6	40.6	$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%)	8.4	436^th of 473 public high schools	7.8%		7.7	430^th of 450 public high schools	4.4%	6				9.1	10.0		12.5	10.5				0.0	3.7	$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%)	53	239^th of 473 public high schools	49.5%		35.4	316^th of 450 public high schools	29.8%	77		54.8	33.3	43.6	43.1	7.7	38.3	24.4		39.4	7.7	13.5	19.3	$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%)	70.7	127^th of 473 public high schools	73.2%		89.6	28^th of 450 public high schools	93.8%	99	57.8	58.0	55.2	45.6	54.5	13.8	42.9	24.3	30.0	38.4	37.9	36.2	35.6	$11,480
White Bear Transition Plus Program	Public	11-12	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

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.

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

Is Forest Lake Area High School a good school?

Forest Lake Area High School ranks 96^th of 473 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

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 district is Forest Lake Area High School in?

Forest Lake Public School District

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Schools in Forest Lake, MN

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Latest Minnesota data All new data »

2024–25 through 2025–26 MCA-III & MCA-IV test scoresSep 30, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCA-III test scoresAug 29, 2025

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesMay 8, 2025

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.