The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Art & Science Academy Middle School
Art & Science Academy Middle School is a charter school serving grades five through eight in Isanti, a small city in Isanti County about an hour north of Minneapolis. The school is part of the Art and Science Academy district, a single-school charter authorizer. As a charter, it operates as a tuition-free public school of choice, meaning families outside the immediate area can enroll, and the school has its own governing board independent of the local district.
The school community is small, with a student body that is predominantly white and where a substantial share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a common indicator of lower household income. The student composition is what it is. Families who value a smaller middle-school setting and who are drawn to the school’s name and implied arts-and-science focus may find the environment appealing. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to measure.
On state assessments, the school’s performance is a central topic a parent will want to explore. Proficiency rates in math were low across all four tested grades, and the overall math proficiency sits well below the state average. Reading and English language arts results were mixed: in one grade nearly half of students met the bar, in another just over half did, but in the seventh grade the share was below average. Science results were very low, particularly in eighth grade. A parent evaluating the school should note that changes to the state’s assessment and cut-score frameworks for science were recently applied, so year-over-year comparisons are not straightforward for that subject. Overall, when stacked against the other school districts in Isanti County, the Art & Science Academy sits in the lower half on combined academic performance. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its approach to math and science instruction and any interventions it uses.
The town of Isanti itself is growing. The population has ticked up noticeably since the last census, driven by a history as a railroad town that has turned into a residential boom community, with many households containing children. The main commercial corridor runs along Minnesota State Highway 65, which cuts through town and is the primary route for getting around; walkability is limited to the older Main Street core. The Rum River runs along the town’s western edge, offering a natural landmark. The city’s motto is “A Community for Generations,” and the median age suggests a family-oriented profile. Housing values in the area are near the middle of the state’s range, and rents are comparable, which may factor into a family’s decision to move to Isanti.
The school’s district brief turned up no recent major changes, such as boundary adjustments or program overhauls, that would affect a parent’s decision. That means the school’s current program and staffing are likely stable as of this writing.
For a family considering Art & Science Academy Middle School, the core takeaway is this. It is a very small charter middle school in a growing small town, with a student body that is not economically diverse but includes a significant share of lower-income families. Academic results, especially in math and science, are below what many parents would expect from the stated arts-and-science theme, and a closer conversation with the school about curriculum and support would be prudent. The school offers no high school pathway; families will need to plan for where their child will go after eighth grade.
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