Top Rankings
Cass Lake-Bena School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 1,119 students in Cass Lake-Bena School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
Public Schools in Cass Lake-Bena School District have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,767 Schools
# Students
1,119 Students
875,498 Students
# Teachers
105 Teachers
56,995 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Cass Lake-Bena School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 514 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 53% has increased from 40-44% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#451 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
46%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
41%
Graduation Rate
53%
83.3%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)67.8%
27.3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.12
0.60
Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data
% American Indian
94%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
1%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 14-year historical data
% Black
n/a
12%
% White
4%
60%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $26,818 is higher than the state median of $19,326. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $32,787 is higher than the state median of $20,060. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$30 MM
$16,920 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending
$37 MM
$17,562 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$26,818
$19,326
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$32,787
$20,060
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Cass Lake-Bena School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cass Lake-bena Secondary
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
15308 State 371 Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Gr: 9-12 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #22.
Cass Lake-bena Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
15 4th St Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2201
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2201
Gr: PK-4 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
208 Central Ave Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Gr: 7-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #44.
Cass Lake-bena Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
15314 State 371 Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Gr: 5-8 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Cass Lake-Bena School District?
Cass Lake-Bena School District manages 4 public schools serving 1,119 students.
What is the rank of Cass Lake-Bena School District?
Cass Lake-Bena School District is ranked #474 out of 514 school districts in Minnesota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Cass Lake-Bena School District?
94% of Cass Lake-Bena School District students are American Indian, 4% of students are White, 1% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Cass Lake-Bena School District?
Cass Lake-Bena School District has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Cass Lake-Bena School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $32,787 is higher than the state median of $20,060. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Discover where free time disappears during your child's school day, how to evaluate lunch, recess, and classroom schedules, and what parents can do when breaks become structured activities.
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
Discover how to help your child when their best friend is assigned to another classroom, including school placement policies, maintaining friendships, building connections, and knowing when to request help.
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Before agreeing to grade retention, learn what evidence to request, how to review school policies, explore alternatives, understand parental rights, and secure an effective academic support plan for your child.
