Serving 42 students in grades 3-12, First City School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Minnesota for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤20% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 45%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤20% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 4:1 is lower than the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 39% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 3-12
- Enrollment: 42 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 4:1
- Minority Enrollment: 69%
- Graduation Rate: ≤20% (Btm 50% in MN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
First City School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
First City School's student population of 42 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 10 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 3-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
42 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
School Rankings
First City School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,860 schools in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of First City School is 0.61, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1651 out of 1860 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
41%
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
13:1
American Indian
53%
2%
Asian
n/a
7%
Hispanic
2%
12%
Black
14%
12%
White
31%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≤20%
84%
Eligible for Free Lunch
93%
36%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is First City School's ranking?
First City School is ranked #1651 out of 1,860 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤20% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 45% MN state average), while ≤20% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of First City School?
The graduation rate of First City School is 20%, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend First City School?
42 students attend First City School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of First City School students are American Indian, 31% of students are White, 14% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of First City School?
First City School has a student ration of 4:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does First City School offer ?
First City School offers enrollment in grades 3-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is First City School part of?
First City School is part of Bemidji Public School District.
School Reviews
Review First City School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Taxes, Investments and Loans: Learning Financial Literacy in High School
While reading, writing, and arithmetic are the foundation of a child's education, financial literacy is growing in importance as well. Learn about public schools that are teaching financial literacy to their students.
Is Your Public School Understaffed? Why Schools are Instituting Hiring Freezes
Explore the trend of hiring freezes in public schools and their impact on education. Learn why schools are implementing these measures and what it means for students and staff.
43 Fantastic ESL Resources for Students
We've put together this ESL resource guide to help students, from teens to adults, get the help they need to achieve their goals with learning English
