Pine River-Backus High School

Summary:

Pine River-Backus High School is a public high school serving grades 7-12 in the Pine River-Backus School District in Pine River, Minnesota, with a student population of 377 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school has seen a decline in its statewide ranking over the past few years, dropping from a high of 102 out of 489 Minnesota high schools in 2016-2017 to a current ranking of 373 out of 480 in 2023-2024, placing it in the bottom quarter of high schools in the state.

The school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with its special education students ranking relatively well (187 out of 221 in 2023-2024), but struggling with its male students (361 out of 405) and White students (366 out of 402) in the same year. The school's four-year graduation rate has also declined, dropping from 94.3% in 2017-2018 to 84.3% in 2021-2022, and its academic performance, as measured by MCA-III test scores, is significantly below the state averages across all subject areas and grade levels.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Pequot Lakes Senior High and Crosslake Community 6-12 Online, Pine River-Backus High School performs significantly worse across a range of metrics, including academic achievement, graduation rates, and student-teacher ratios. Additionally, the school serves a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, with 61.01% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 810 1st St N
       Pine River, MN  56474-8888


(218) 587-4425

District: Pine River-Backus School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
373rd of 480 Minnesota High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,954 Help


Feeder schools for Pine River-Backus High School:

Elementary:    Pine River-Backus Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  13.0 Help
Number of students:  377

Racial breakdown:

White:
93.9%
Two or more races:
2.7%
African American:
1.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  61% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Pine River-Backus High School ranks worse than 64.4% of middle schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.26. (See more...)
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Compare Details Pine River-Backus High School ranks worse than 77.7% of high schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.15. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Pine River-Backus High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.9%), two or more races (2.7%), Asian (1.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 61% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pine River-Backus High School is 13. (See more...)
Help
Compare Pine River-Backus High School employs 28.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pine River-Backus High School is $11,954.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Pine River-Backus High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Pine River-Backus High School 351st of 545 Minnesota public middle schools. (See Pine River-Backus High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Pine River-Backus High School 373rd of 480 Minnesota public high schools. (See Pine River-Backus High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Pine River-Backus School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Pine River-Backus School District 323rd of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Pine River-Backus High School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 34.56 308th 387 20.4%
2005 63.69 167th 396 57.8%
2006 56.57 207th 406 49.0%
2007 55.40 202nd 403 49.9%
2008 51.68 238th 409 41.8%
2010 42.73 308th 454 32.2%
2011 29.44 387th 478 19.0%
2012 40.05 332nd 469 29.2%
2013 32.44 366th 488 25.0%
2014 43.85 303rd 490 38.2%
2015 48.08 275th 516 46.7%
2016 32.20 382nd 508 24.8%
2017 44.90 310th 523 40.7%
2018 46.57 312th 518 39.8%
2019 54.23 248th 533 53.5%
2021 26.51 401st 521 23.0%
2022 41.93 314th 520 39.6%
2023 43.45 308th 529 41.8%
2024 37.26 351st 545 35.6%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.02 53rd 253 79.1%
2019 49.86 143rd 282 49.3%
2021 51.71 109th 260 58.1%
2022 59.32 93rd 288 67.7%
2024 41.30 178th 307 42.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.86 150th 401 62.6%
2019 66.27 112th 415 73.0%
2021 30.37 301st 399 24.6%
2022 48.21 201st 404 50.2%
2023 49.86 211th 459 54.0%
2024 39.18 299th 473 36.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.87 269th 436 38.3%
2019 49.93 239th 439 45.6%
2021 26.66 345th 443 22.1%
2022 36.79 318th 467 31.9%
2023 34.83 323rd 455 29.0%
2024 41.34 292nd 474 38.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.25 281st 438 35.8%
2019 53.94 217th 454 52.2%
2021 24.22 348th 437 20.4%
2022 41.31 286th 476 39.9%
2023 47.74 244th 464 47.4%
2024 29.93 354th 479 26.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.41 356th 428 16.8%
2019 31.67 326th 428 23.8%
2021 11.99 397th 422 5.9%
2022 25.59 353rd 438 19.4%
2023 27.85 350th 436 19.7%
2024 19.23 389th 440 11.6%
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 Pine River-Backus High School

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Rank History for all high school students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 49.17 319th 433 26.3%
2005 41.12 355th 452 21.5%
2006 56.60 250th 450 44.4%
2007 39.99 337th 463 27.2%
2008 52.58 284th 460 38.3%
2010 59.51 263rd 540 51.3%
2011 55.22 305th 545 44.0%
2012 61.06 262nd 539 51.4%
2013 55.48 283rd 534 47.0%
2014 58.18 242nd 483 49.9%
2015 58.13 242nd 504 52.0%
2016 60.49 224th 489 54.2%
2017 76.59 102nd 489 79.1%
2018 70.46 155th 494 68.6%
2019 66.46 177th 492 64.0%
2021 69.87 125th 428 70.8%
2022 68.62 145th 472 69.3%
2023 50.29 249th 476 47.7%
2024 25.15 373rd 480 22.3%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Special Education students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.47 52nd 195 73.3%
2019 52.44 96th 220 56.4%
2022 59.99 72nd 214 66.4%
2023 52.50 98th 216 54.6%
2024 21.48 187th 221 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 90.23 16th 374 95.7%
2019 59.63 146th 370 60.5%
2021 94.37 5th 270 98.1%
2022 88.75 12th 312 96.2%
2023 60.24 139th 393 64.6%
2024 22.40 333rd 389 14.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.28 126th 395 68.1%
2019 51.23 231st 401 42.4%
2021 64.26 123rd 339 63.7%
2022 67.55 120th 388 69.1%
2023 53.75 192nd 396 51.5%
2024 25.76 314th 403 22.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.75 206th 398 48.2%
2019 66.42 139th 411 66.2%
2021 70.33 94th 351 73.2%
2022 56.95 172nd 403 57.3%
2023 36.39 273rd 398 31.4%
2024 16.26 361st 405 10.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Pine River-Backus High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.54 202nd 414 51.2%
2019 45.13 267th 412 35.2%
2021 54.56 181st 364 50.3%
2022 49.26 231st 401 42.4%
2023 31.65 305th 398 23.4%
2024 12.11 366th 402 9.0%
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.

Pine River-Backus High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Pine River-Backus High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1993 530 3 3 2 7 n/a n/a 0 545
1994 552 2 2 1 8 n/a n/a 0 565
1995 596 2 1 1 3 n/a n/a 0 603
1996 596 2 1 1 3 n/a n/a 0 603
1997 565 1 1 0 6 n/a n/a 0 573
1998 628 1 1 0 6 n/a n/a 0 636
1999 636 1 1 0 9 n/a n/a 0 647
2000 637 1 1 0 12 n/a n/a 0 651
2001 610 0 2 1 13 n/a n/a 0 626
2002 559 5 1 3 5 n/a n/a 0 573
2003 559 5 1 3 5 n/a n/a 0 573
2004 471 4 2 5 6 n/a n/a 0 488
2005 456 5 7 7 7 n/a n/a 0 482
2006 488 4 4 8 3 n/a n/a 0 507
2007 432 3 4 7 3 n/a n/a 0 449
2008 396 5 4 7 3 n/a n/a 0 415
2009 363 8 4 4 6 n/a n/a 0 385
2010 354 9 7 5 3 n/a n/a 0 378
2011 359 12 5 4 5 0 0 0 385
2012 366 14 4 3 4 1 0 0 392
2013 323 14 4 5 7 1 2 0 356
2014 340 10 4 2 4 0 2 0 362
2015 325 7 5 4 4 0 0 0 345
2016 328 11 4 7 3 1 0 0 354
2017 340 7 3 10 3 1 0 0 364
2018 336 7 2 6 4 1 4 0 360
2019 338 9 1 5 4 2 3 0 362
2020 350 6 1 6 4 2 2 0 371
2021 365 9 1 2 2 2 5 0 386
2022 351 7 0 1 2 2 5 0 368
2023 354 4 4 2 2 1 10 0 377

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 Pine River-Backus High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1993 545 30.8 17.7 36.5
1994 565 34.5 16.4 38.2
1995 603 25.3 23.8 35.8
1996 603 25.3 23.8 35.8
1997 573 36.0 15.9 37.9
1998 636 n/a 0.0 32.1
1999 647 44.6 14.5 34
2000 651 41.0 15.9 41
2001 626 40.2 15.6 38.2
2002 573 39.9 14.4 34.6
2003 573 39.9 14.4 34.6
2004 488 36.5 13.4 38.3
2005 482 34.3 14.1 44.6
2006 507 32.6 15.6 40
2007 449 32.5 13.8 40.5
2008 415 29.9 13.9 46.3
2009 385 30.0 12.8 49.6
2010 378 27.4 13.7 56.6
2011 385 26.8 14.3 54.5
2012 392 27.5 14.2 57.9
2013 356 25.0 14.2 55.1
2014 362 25.3 14.3 55.2
2015 345 26.0 13.2 57.7
2016 354 26.0 13.6 52
2017 364 24.6 14.7 47.5
2018 360 24.8 14.5 46.4
2019 362 26.1 13.8 37.8
2020 371 27.2 13.6 49.6
2021 386 23.5 16.4 36.5
2022 368 27.9 13.1 36.4
2023 377 28.8 13.0 61

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 Pine River-Backus High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1993 545 30.8 17.7 36.5
1994 565 34.5 16.4 38.2
1995 603 25.3 23.8 35.8
1996 603 25.3 23.8 35.8
1997 573 36.0 15.9 37.9
1998 636 n/a 0.0 32.1
1999 647 44.6 14.5 34
2000 651 41.0 15.9 41
2001 626 40.2 15.6 38.2
2002 573 39.9 14.4 34.6
2003 573 39.9 14.4 34.6
2004 488 36.5 13.4 38.3
2005 482 34.3 14.1 44.6
2006 507 32.6 15.6 40
2007 449 32.5 13.8 40.5
2008 415 29.9 13.9 46.3
2009 385 30.0 12.8 49.6
2010 378 27.4 13.7 56.6
2011 385 26.8 14.3 54.5
2012 392 27.5 14.2 57.9
2013 356 25.0 14.2 55.1
2014 362 25.3 14.3 55.2
2015 345 26.0 13.2 57.7
2016 354 26.0 13.6 52
2017 364 24.6 14.7 47.5
2018 360 24.8 14.5 46.4
2019 362 26.1 13.8 37.8
2020 371 27.2 13.6 49.6
2021 386 23.5 16.4 36.5
2022 368 27.9 13.1 36.4
2023 377 28.8 13.0 61

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 Pine River-Backus High School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $11,954

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Pine River-Backus High School

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 248th of 533 Middle schoolsRanks 308th of 529 Middle schools
 11.7%
Ranks 177th of 492 High schoolsRanks 249th of 476 High schools
 16.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Math (Pine River-Backus High School)40.914.7
 26.1%
   7th Grade Math (Pine River-Backus School District)40.914.7
 26.1%
   7th Grade Math (Minnesota)52.139.7
 12.4%
7th Grade Reading (Pine River-Backus High School)46.544.1
 2.4%
   7th Grade Reading (Pine River-Backus School District)46.544.1
 2.4%
   7th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.545.2
 12.3%
8th Grade Math (Pine River-Backus High School)45.329.2
 16.1%
   8th Grade Math (Pine River-Backus School District)45.329.2
 16.1%
   8th Grade Math (Minnesota)55.240.3
 14.9%
8th Grade Reading (Pine River-Backus High School)6440
 24%
   8th Grade Reading (Pine River-Backus School District)6440
 24%
   8th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.744.8
 12.9%
8th Grade Science (Pine River-Backus High School)47.924.6
 23.3%
   8th Grade Science (Pine River-Backus School District)47.924.6
 23.3%
   8th Grade Science (Minnesota)4327.6
 15.4%
10th Grade Reading (Pine River-Backus High School)62.340.3
 22%
   10th Grade Reading (Pine River-Backus School District)6040
 20%
   10th Grade Reading (Minnesota)60.451.7
 8.7%
11th Grade Math (Pine River-Backus High School)51.133.3
 17.8%
   11th Grade Math (Pine River-Backus School District)35.826.7
 9.2%
   11th Grade Math (Minnesota)4536
 9%
End of Course Science (Pine River-Backus High School)49.237.5
 11.7%
   End of Course Science (Pine River-Backus School District)49.234.9
 14.4%
   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 Students362377
 4.1%
African American94
 55.6%
American Indian42
 50%
Asian14
 300%
Hispanic52
 60%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White338354
 4.7%
Two or More Races310
 233.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.8%61%
 23.2%


Schools Near Pine River-Backus High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Pine River-Backus High School

Students at Pine River-Backus High School are 94% White, 3% Two or more races, 1% African American, 1% Asian.

Pine River-Backus High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Pine River-Backus Elementary

Pine River-Backus High School ranks in the bottom 22.3% of Minnesota high schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 377 students attended Pine River-Backus High School.


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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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