Summary:
The Brainerd, Minnesota school district consists of 9 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with some schools having higher rates of students from low-income families. While the top-performing schools, like Lowell Elementary and Brainerd Senior High, consistently rank among the best in the state, the alternative schools in the district, such as Independent School District (ISD) 181 Learning Center, face significant challenges with low test scores, graduation rates, and overall performance.
Lowell Elementary stands out as a top-performing school, with 75% of its students proficient or better in math and 70.67% in reading. In contrast, the alternative schools, like Independent School District (ISD) 181 Learning Center, have significantly lower test scores and graduation rates, with a concerning 45.0% four-year graduation rate and 1.1% dropout rate. This stark contrast in performance suggests a need to address educational inequities and ensure all students in the Brainerd Public School District have access to quality education.
The data also reveals a correlation between socioeconomic status and school performance, with schools having higher free/reduced lunch rates, such as Harrison Elementary (72.49%) and Lincoln Education Center (76.92%), tending to have lower test scores and graduation rates. Addressing these disparities and supporting the unique needs of alternative schools in the Brainerd Public School District should be a key priority to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.
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