The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Laura Baker Sun Program
Laura Baker SUN Program is a special education school serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Faribault, Minnesota. It is part of the Cannon Valley Special Education Cooperative, a structure that groups multiple districts together to provide specialized programming. As a special education school, its purpose is distinct from a typical neighborhood school. It is designed for students whose educational needs are best met in a dedicated, separate setting with specialized support. The school is not a charter school and no Title I status was reported.
The enrollment is small, which is characteristic of a school of this type. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is racially diverse, with White students making up the largest share, followed by Black students and students of two or more races, with a small Hispanic representation. State data on students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and English learners was not available, though as a special education school the entire population is by definition served under special education.
State testing data is reported for math and reading across a few grade levels, and the proficiency rates are low. This is an expected pattern for a special education school where the student population has significant disabilities; state assessments measure grade-level standards, and for many of these students, the standard curriculum is not the one they follow. The science assessment result for grade 5 was suppressed by the state due to a very small number of test-takers, which is common in a school this size. A parent reviewing these numbers should understand the context: the school is not designed to produce typical proficiency outcomes, and the data reflects the population served, not a shortcoming of the program. The overall proficiency index, which averages across tested subjects and grades, places the school in the bottom quartile relative to all districts in Rice County. That comparison is less meaningful here than it would be for a general-education school, because the peer set includes typical districts and this is a special-purpose program.
No graduation rate was available, likely because the number of seniors is small and the rate may not be reported for privacy or because the program does not track a traditional cohort. Chronic absenteeism data was also missing.
A parent considering Laura Baker SUN Program is most likely navigating a special education placement for their child. The decision to enroll here typically comes through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process, not open enrollment. The program is designed for students who require a highly structured, therapeutic, and specially staffed environment. Faribault is a mid-sized city with a historic downtown, a mix of manufacturing employers, and access to Interstate 35 about an hour south of the Twin Cities. It has seen steady population growth and offers some trail systems and a nature center. Housing values are moderate relative to state and national benchmarks.
Because the data on staffing ratios, course access, discipline, and specific therapeutic services was not available, a family in the IEP process would want to confirm directly with the cooperative what staffing levels, related services, and transition programming look like. The state testing data tells you little about day-to-day experience here. What matters is whether the setting matches the student's needs.
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