Twin Cities Academy

Summary:

Twin Cities Academy is a public charter high school serving grades 6-12 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with a diverse student population that includes 23.24% White, 25.98% African American, 27.34% Hispanic, and 16.21% Asian students.

Despite its diverse student body, Twin Cities Academy has struggled academically, consistently performing below the state average on standardized tests in math, reading, and science. In 2023-2024, only 12.02% of students were proficient or better in math compared to the state average of 45.47%, and the school's reading proficiency rate of 34.51% lags the state's 49.85%. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from a high of 43rd out of 483 Minnesota high schools in 2013-2014 to 400th out of 480 in 2023-2024, indicating it is falling behind its peers. The school also struggles to serve certain student subgroups effectively, ranking 71st out of 78 Minnesota high schools for Asian students and 79th out of 109 for African American students in math proficiency.

Twin Cities Academy's challenges are compounded by its high poverty rates, with 70.12% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023, and its proximity to several other underperforming schools in the area, such as Harding Senior High, Community of Peace Academy High School, and Face to Face Academy. However, the school's performance for English Language Learner (ELL) students is relatively stronger, suggesting it may be able to leverage its practices for ELL students to improve outcomes for other subgroups.


Detail:

Public, Charter 6-12

 690 Birmingham
       Saint Paul, MN  55106-8888


(651) 205-4797

District: Twin Cities Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
400th of 480 Minnesota High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,125 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  11.5 Help
Number of students:  512

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
27.3%
African American:
26.0%
White:
23.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  70.1% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Twin Cities Academy ranks worse than 83.3% of middle schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 20.05. (See more...)
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Compare Details Twin Cities Academy ranks worse than 83.3% of high schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.24. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Twin Cities Academy freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Twin Cities Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (27.3%), African American (26%), White (23.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 70.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Twin Cities Academy is 11.5. (See more...)
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Compare Twin Cities Academy employs 44.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Twin Cities Academy is $14,125.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Twin Cities Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Twin Cities Academy 454th of 545 Minnesota public middle schools. (See Twin Cities Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Twin Cities Academy 400th of 480 Minnesota public high schools. (See Twin Cities Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Twin Cities Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Twin Cities Academy 393rd of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Twin Cities Academy.

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Rank History for Twin Cities Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 68.13 150th 523 71.3%
2018 55.53 251st 518 51.5%
2019 44.07 328th 533 38.5%
2021 44.34 286th 521 45.1%
2022 25.26 396th 520 23.8%
2023 18.31 445th 529 15.9%
2024 20.05 454th 545 16.7%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Multi-racial students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 29.17 95th 120 20.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 51.11 41st 130 68.5%
2024 29.96 135th 158 14.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 64.80 75th 298 74.8%
2024 41.51 174th 307 43.3%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.21 311th 401 22.4%
2019 30.32 314th 415 24.3%
2021 39.91 248th 399 37.8%
2022 28.30 315th 404 22.0%
2023 16.03 415th 459 9.6%
2024 20.18 410th 473 13.3%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.76 275th 436 36.9%
2019 34.40 329th 439 25.1%
2021 45.41 238th 443 46.3%
2022 24.46 370th 467 20.8%
2023 20.48 386th 455 15.2%
2024 19.39 401st 474 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.05 168th 438 61.6%
2019 47.45 257th 454 43.4%
2021 39.28 271st 437 38.0%
2022 23.48 380th 476 20.2%
2023 13.55 418th 464 9.9%
2024 16.99 412th 479 14.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Asian students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.22 56th 108 48.1%
2019 40.25 71st 112 36.6%
2022 14.91 101st 110 8.2%
2023 6.69 116th 116 0.0%
2024 26.43 78th 111 29.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.93 72nd 137 47.4%
2019 40.23 83rd 148 43.9%
2021 32.16 104th 141 26.2%
2022 41.55 92nd 162 43.2%
2023 20.33 139th 164 15.2%
2024 31.71 123rd 179 31.3%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.62 62nd 163 62.0%
2019 35.26 109th 171 36.3%
2022 24.24 162nd 188 13.8%
2023 15.26 171st 178 3.9%
2024 23.81 160th 186 14.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.66 110th 428 74.3%
2019 68.63 107th 428 75.0%
2021 87.62 23rd 422 94.5%
2022 39.05 270th 438 38.4%
2023 55.57 184th 436 57.8%
2024 61.84 140th 440 68.2%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Twin Cities Academy

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Rank History for all high school students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2010 82.31 36th 540 93.3%
2011 78.52 72nd 545 86.8%
2012 77.08 85th 539 84.2%
2013 71.21 137th 534 74.3%
2014 85.76 43rd 483 91.1%
2015 81.99 62nd 504 87.7%
2016 54.70 259th 489 47.0%
2017 49.11 300th 489 38.7%
2018 32.85 367th 494 25.7%
2019 31.07 366th 492 25.6%
2021 32.98 325th 428 24.1%
2022 24.31 372nd 472 21.2%
2023 41.50 302nd 476 36.6%
2024 18.24 400th 480 16.7%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school English Language Learner students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 49.26 36th 87 58.6%
2023 66.73 16th 90 82.2%
2024 45.23 45th 102 55.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for high school Special Education students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 64.93 58th 220 73.6%
2023 39.35 141st 216 34.7%
2024 10.61 209th 221 5.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.08 271st 374 27.5%
2019 30.24 273rd 370 26.2%
2022 15.72 280th 312 10.3%
2023 40.31 245th 393 37.7%
2024 19.18 342nd 389 12.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.82 344th 395 12.9%
2019 18.49 347th 401 13.5%
2022 8.31 367th 388 5.4%
2023 22.92 329th 396 16.9%
2024 11.09 370th 403 8.2%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.36 306th 398 23.1%
2019 31.46 316th 411 23.1%
2022 37.13 278th 403 31.0%
2023 49.54 210th 398 47.2%
2024 18.98 352nd 405 13.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school Asian students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 29.36 57th 78 26.9%
2022 2.21 68th 68 0.0%
2023 43.28 38th 71 46.5%
2024 15.15 71st 78 9.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for high school African American students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.39 73rd 106 31.1%
2019 22.77 83rd 103 19.4%
2022 28.33 75th 102 26.5%
2023 45.61 52nd 98 46.9%
2024 28.09 79th 109 27.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.80 58th 129 55.0%
2019 20.49 113th 132 14.4%
2022 19.77 118th 135 12.6%
2023 35.80 92nd 136 32.4%
2024 21.75 126th 145 13.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Twin Cities Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.86 178th 414 57.0%
2019 60.47 178th 412 56.8%
2022 73.12 80th 401 80.0%
2023 76.65 69th 398 82.7%
2024 42.87 249th 402 38.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Twin Cities Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

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Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Open Quote We took our son out of public school because he was struggling to pass. We found one of the highest ranked middle schools in MN, Twin Cities Academy, and drove him into St. Paul each day from Lake Elmo. It was well worth it. He is now in his second year in college and says that college is easier than Twin Cities Academy. What we loved about the school is their willingness to go the extra mile for struggling kids like ours - extra math classes, extra writing classes, whatever kids needed. Unlike our public school experience, this school would not let kids fall through the cracks. As a parent, I know that I have often questioned some of my parenting decisions, but this is one I have never regretted. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Twin Cities Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2007 39 18 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 65
2008 52 16 6 6 0 n/a n/a 0 80
2009 58 17 11 13 3 n/a n/a 0 102
2010 67 22 15 12 4 n/a n/a 0 120
2011 68 21 12 14 0 0 12 0 127
2012 83 21 17 24 1 0 10 0 156
2013 99 30 20 28 1 0 8 0 186
2014 107 34 21 31 1 0 12 0 206
2015 101 44 21 53 1 0 12 0 232
2016 100 61 15 61 1 0 12 0 250
2017 247 128 59 107 3 0 58 0 602
2018 234 153 71 108 3 0 55 0 624
2019 209 167 84 106 1 0 56 0 623
2020 166 165 103 132 0 0 54 0 620
2021 146 134 89 129 0 0 46 0 544
2022 116 131 79 123 0 0 38 0 487
2023 119 133 83 140 0 0 37 0 512

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Twin Cities Academy

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2007 65 5.9 11.0 20
2008 80 7.2 11.1 13.8
2009 102 8.2 12.4 20.6
2010 120 10.2 11.6 26.7
2011 127 11.0 11.5 33.1
2012 156 10.6 14.6 44.2
2013 186 13.9 13.3 40.9
2014 206 13.7 14.9 45.1
2015 232 16.0 14.5 45.7
2016 250 17.0 14.7 50.8
2017 602 34.8 17.2 45.7
2018 624 38.3 16.2 46
2019 623 38.4 16.2 54.3
2020 620 40.7 15.2 60.6
2021 544 38.0 14.3 49.1
2022 487 41.7 11.6 58.1
2023 512 44.2 11.5 70.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Twin Cities Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2007 65 5.9 11.0 20
2008 80 7.2 11.1 13.8
2009 102 8.2 12.4 20.6
2010 120 10.2 11.6 26.7
2011 127 11.0 11.5 33.1
2012 156 10.6 14.6 44.2
2013 186 13.9 13.3 40.9
2014 206 13.7 14.9 45.1
2015 232 16.0 14.5 45.7
2016 250 17.0 14.7 50.8
2017 602 34.8 17.2 45.7
2018 624 38.3 16.2 46
2019 623 38.4 16.2 54.3
2020 620 40.7 15.2 60.6
2021 544 38.0 14.3 49.1
2022 487 41.7 11.6 58.1
2023 512 44.2 11.5 70.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Twin Cities Academy

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $14,124

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Twin Cities Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 328th of 533 Middle schoolsRanks 445th of 529 Middle schools
 22.6%
Ranks 366th of 492 High schoolsRanks 302nd of 476 High schools
 10.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)26.712.8
 14%
   6th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)26.712.8
 14%
   6th Grade Math (Minnesota)50.539.7
 10.8%
6th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)56.327.1
 29.2%
   6th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)56.327.1
 29.2%
   6th Grade Reading (Minnesota)62.853.4
 9.4%
7th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)30.511.3
 19.2%
   7th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)30.511.3
 19.2%
   7th Grade Math (Minnesota)52.139.7
 12.4%
7th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)47.622.2
 25.4%
   7th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)47.622.2
 25.4%
   7th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.545.2
 12.3%
8th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)51.617.8
 33.7%
   8th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)51.617.8
 33.7%
   8th Grade Math (Minnesota)55.240.3
 14.9%
8th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)57.731.5
 26.2%
   8th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)57.731.5
 26.2%
   8th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.744.8
 12.9%
8th Grade Science (Twin Cities Academy)46.912.7
 34.2%
   8th Grade Science (Twin Cities Academy)46.912.7
 34.2%
   8th Grade Science (Minnesota)4327.6
 15.4%
10th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)5250
 2%
   10th Grade Reading (Twin Cities Academy)5250
 2%
   10th Grade Reading (Minnesota)60.451.7
 8.7%
11th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)27.516.7
 10.8%
   11th Grade Math (Twin Cities Academy)27.516.7
 10.8%
   11th Grade Math (Minnesota)4536
 9%
End of Course Science (Twin Cities Academy)21.327.6
 6.3%
   End of Course Science (Twin Cities Academy)21.327.6
 6.3%
   End of Course Science (Minnesota)54.441.8
 12.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students623512
 17.8%
African American167133
 20.4%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian8483
 1.2%
Hispanic106140
 32.1%
Pacific Islander00
White209119
 43.1%
Two or More Races5637
 33.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients54.3%70.1%
 15.9%


Schools Near Twin Cities Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Twin Cities Academy

Students at Twin Cities Academy are 27% Hispanic, 26% African American, 23% White, 16% Asian, 7% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 512 students attended Twin Cities Academy.

Twin Cities Academy ranks in the bottom 16.7% of Minnesota high schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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