Northland Community Schools

The Northland Community Schools district in Minnesota consists of 3 schools, including 1 elementary school and 2 high schools, serving a diverse student population with a high percentage of Native American and African American students, as well as a large economically disadvantaged population.

Northland Elementary stands out with its high percentage of Native American students (38.07%) and consistently low test scores, ranking in the bottom 10-15% of Minnesota elementary schools on the MCA-III assessments in both math and reading. In contrast, Little Sand, a small high school with only 8 students, has a unique racial makeup with 37.5% African American and 37.5% Native American students, as well as a low student-teacher ratio of 4.7.

Academically, the schools in the Northland Community Schools district struggle, with proficiency rates well below the state averages on the MCA-III assessments. Northland Secondary also has a lower-than-average 4-year graduation rate of 77.2% and a relatively high dropout rate of 9.0%. These persistent academic challenges, coupled with the district's high rates of economic disadvantage, highlight the need for targeted interventions and a focus on equity to ensure all students in the Northland Community Schools district have access to a high-quality education.