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Schools in North Branch · North Branch Public Schools

North Branch’s public schools outscore 50% of Minnesota districts

The grade covers the public school district serving North Branch, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.

#208of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
51%
▼ 0 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
41%
▼ 4 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
82%
▼ 1 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.1K
▼ 23% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.7
MN 14.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
2,605 students on the public path
In brief

North Branch’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1600 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of North Branch’s, its schools beat 38%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 51% of tested students were proficient in reading and 41% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,094 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 1 the district’s path is Sunrise River Elementary School, then North Branch Area Middle School, then North Branch Area High School. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Phoenix Academy Charter School is in town. Distance Learning Academy Secondary, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind North Branch’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 50% of Minnesota school districts, #208 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 50%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1600)Better than 38%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,292 test results and a graduating class of 211 could put North Branch anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of North Branch’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,242 in math, 1,342 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve North Branch, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–KNorth Branch Area Education CenterNorth Branch Public SchoolsNo scores
1–5Sunrise River Elementary SchoolNorth Branch Public SchoolsB+
6–8North Branch Area Middle SchoolNorth Branch Public SchoolsC+
9–12North Branch Area High SchoolNorth Branch Public SchoolsC+

North Branch’s public schools are run by North Branch Public Schools, which also serves Amador, Fish Lake, Harris and North Branch and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

North Branch Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 2,704 students, up 8% since 2020–21 · 17.7 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$13,094MN $17,091 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading51%
State average 51.1% · 1342 students tested
Math41%
State average 44.8% · 1242 students tested

North Branch vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share North Branch’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
North BranchB−North Branch
StacyB−North Branch
North Branch TownshipB−North Branch PK–12 · Cambridge-Isanti Public PK–12
SunriseB−North Branch PK–12 · Rush City Public PK–12
HarrisB−North Branch PK–12 · Rush City Public PK–12

All 4 neighbors share North Branch with North Branch, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in North Branch

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in North Branchby address
North Branch Area Education Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
239 students13:1Rate it →
Sunrise River Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 1–5
B+
960 students18:1Rate it →
North Branch Area Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
615 students19:1Rate it →
North Branch Area High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
791 students20:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Norse Area Learning Center
High · Grades 7–12
C−
Alternative Education
41 students10:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Phoenix Academy Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–8
C−
Charter
156 students15:1Rate it →
Other public schools in North Branchrun by other districts or the state
Chisago County Schools' Life Work C
High · Grades 9–12
Special Education
29 students10:1Rate it →
Online schools based in North Branchnot counted as local schools
Distance Learning Academy Secondary
High · Grades 6–12
C
Online
52 students20:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Distance Learning Acadmy Elementary).

Questions about North Branch’s schools

Are North Branch’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Minnesota: the public schools North Branch children attend outscore 50% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #208 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is North Branch in?

North Branch Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,704 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do North Branch kids go to high school?

North Branch Area High School, with 791 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is North Branch’s graduation rate?

82% of the class of 2023 in North Branch Public Schools graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does North Branch spend per student?

$13,094 in North Branch Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What North Branch families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near North Branch → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.