Round Lake-brewster Middle School, Brewster MN

Original Research by School Decision on Round Lake-brewster Middle School

Round Lake-Brewster Middle School is a regular public school serving grades six through eight in the small, rural town of Brewster, Minnesota, part of the Round Lake-Brewster Public Schools district. Brewster, originally a railroad town, is car-dependent with a historically central core. Its population has remained fairly stable with a slight decline over recent years, and the housing market is comparatively affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. The district itself has no major recent changes publicly reported that would alter a family’s day-to-day experience.

The middle school’s enrollment is modest, with a student body composed overwhelmingly of Hispanic and Latino students, followed by white students and small shares of Asian and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch, reflecting a community where many families face economic stress. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to inquire directly about those support structures. No information on course offerings, staffing ratios, or discipline was provided, either; these are gaps worth exploring with the school.

On state assessments in math, reading, and science, performance is a clear concern. Proficiency rates across all tested grades fall well below what is typical in Nobles County. When compared to other districts in the county, the school’s combined proficiency across subjects places it among the lowest. In math, for example, proficiency is weak in sixth and seventh grades, while eighth‑grade math shows a somewhat stronger result. In reading, the pattern is similar but slightly higher, and in eighth‑grade science, proficiency remains low. Only a single year of test data was available, so it is not possible to identify trends over time. The school’s assessment flag notes that the science test changed in name and cut scores, which may affect comparability.

Because the school serves only middle grades, it has no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism was also absent. A parent looking for a full picture of student engagement and post‑middle‑school outcomes would need to ask the district about high‑school readiness and attendance patterns.

The broad picture is of a small, rural middle school serving a predominantly low‑income and Hispanic student body in a community with modest housing costs and limited recent growth. Academically, the school faces a significant challenge: student performance on state tests is notably lower than that of most other district peers in the county. For a family weighing options, the school’s size and setting may appeal to those who want a close‑knit, small‑town environment. But the academic numbers are a soft spot that merits a serious conversation with the school about what interventions, supports, and enrichment opportunities are in place to move student achievement upward. Without data on special education, English‑learner services, staffing, or specific programs, a family will need to ask those questions directly to fill out the picture.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 615%

School 15% · District 15%

▼ 13 pts below state median

Grade 716%

School 16% · District 16%

▼ 9 pts below state median

Grade 838%

School 38% · District 38%

▲ 13 pts above state median

English language arts

Grade 627%

School 27% · District 27%

▼ 19 pts below state median

Grade 733%

School 33% · District 33%

▼ 3 pts below state median

Grade 841%

School 41% · District 41%

▲ 6 pts above state median

Science

Grade 815%

School 15% · District 15%

▲ 3 pts above state median

This schoolROUND LAKE-BREWSTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income17%Higher-income50%33 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income30%Higher-income42%11 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income36%Higher-income50%14 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income8%Higher-income30%22 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income12%Higher-income25%13 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income32%Higher-income50%18 pp gap