The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Upper Mississippi Academy
Upper Mississippi Academy was a charter school district in Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving grades six through twelve. According to state records, it has ceased operations after the 2023-2024 school year, and the district and its two schools, Upper Mississippi Middle Academy and Upper Mississippi High Academy, are no longer active educational options for families. This account reflects the data available from its final year of operation.
The district enrolled a modest number of students across its middle and high school grade levels. The student body was diverse: about half of the students were white, with the remainder coming from Hispanic, two-or-more-races, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian backgrounds. Information on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was not available in the data provided.
State testing results from the 2023-2024 school year show a mixed academic picture. In English language arts, a majority of sixth graders met proficiency standards, while the share of proficient students was lower in seventh grade and dipped further in eighth grade. In mathematics, proficiency rates were minimal in sixth grade, absent in seventh grade, and remained low in eighth grade. Science testing, which is administered only in eighth grade, showed that just over a quarter of students reached the proficient level. When compared with other districts in Ramsey County, Upper Mississippi Academy's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it above the midpoint, meaning its combined performance was stronger than the county's median district.
The district’s chronic absenteeism rate, however, was well above the county median, falling into the bottom quartile among Ramsey County's districts. This is a significant concern for families evaluating the consistency of student attendance and engagement. The district’s per-pupil spending was in the upper range among the county's districts, a figure that reflects its operational structure as a small charter school. A four-year graduation rate was not available in the data, likely because the district's grade band and small size complicate such metrics, though a family interested in the high school experience would want to confirm this directly with any remaining records.
The physical location of the school was in Saint Paul, but specific neighborhood context or housing market data tied to this district was not included in the information provided. Given the district’s closure, this profile is of historical interest to families who may be researching former school options or looking for context on the educational landscape in the area. For anyone seeking an active secondary school in Saint Paul, this is no longer a viable choice.
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