Higher Ground Academy

The Higher Ground Academy district in Minnesota operates two schools - HGA Elementary and HGA Secondary - that serve a predominantly African American student population from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

While both schools perform below the state average on standardized test scores, particularly in math, HGA Secondary stands out with an impressive 90.9% four-year graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate - achievements that exceed state averages. In contrast, HGA Elementary and HGA Secondary have extremely high free/reduced lunch rates of nearly 99%, indicating the significant economic challenges faced by their student populations.

Despite the academic performance gaps, the data suggests the schools are providing valuable educational opportunities and supporting student success in other ways. Further analysis could explore the factors contributing to the disparities and identify strategies to address them, ensuring all students in the Higher Ground Academy district receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success.