Northern Lights Community School

Northern Lights Community School is the sole public charter high school serving grades 6-12 in Warba, Minnesota. While the school has a small enrollment of 82 students, it faces significant challenges in academic performance and student outcomes compared to other schools in the state.

The school's proficiency rates in Math, Reading, and Science are alarmingly low, with 0% of students proficient in Math and Science, and only 18.18% proficient in Reading. This poor academic performance has contributed to the school's declining statewide ranking, dropping from 436 out of 494 Minnesota high schools in 2017-2018 to 472 out of 480 in 2023-2024. Additionally, the school's 9.0% dropout rate is significantly higher than the state average, suggesting difficulties in supporting and retaining students.

Demographic data reveals that Northern Lights Community School serves a predominantly low-income student population, with over 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school also has a high percentage of White students (89.02%) and a relatively low percentage of minority students, which is not representative of the overall student population in Minnesota. These factors, combined with the school's academic struggles, suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to improve educational outcomes for the students at Northern Lights Community School.