High Schools in Fergus Falls Public School District

The Fergus Falls Public School District in Minnesota is home to three high schools serving grades 9-12: Kennedy High School, iQ Academy 9-12, and Fergus Falls Area Learning Center. Among these, Kennedy High School stands out as the top-performing school, consistently ranking among the best in the state with strong academic metrics and a diverse student population.

Kennedy High School boasts a 4-star or 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, with 61.64% of students proficient or better in MCA-III Reading and 56.58% proficient or better in MCA-III Science. The school also maintains a relatively low dropout rate of 6.3% and a solid 88.0% four-year graduation rate. In contrast, the other two high schools in the district, iQ Academy 9-12 and Fergus Falls Area Learning Center, lag behind in academic performance, with lower test scores, graduation rates, and higher dropout rates.

Socioeconomic factors may play a role in the disparities observed, as iQ Academy 9-12 and Fergus Falls Area Learning Center serve a higher percentage of students from low-income families, with free/reduced lunch rates of 51.65% and 66.67%, respectively, compared to 33.14% at Kennedy High School. Additionally, the student-teacher ratios at the alternative high schools are higher, which may contribute to their challenges in providing personalized attention and support to students.