The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Math. The lowest is 24% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Phoenix Academy Charter School
Phoenix Academy Charter School is a small kindergarten-through-eighth-grade public charter school in North Branch, a commuter town in Chisago County about an hour north of the Twin Cities. The school operates as its own single-school district, which means a small administrative structure and a close-knit feel. North Branch itself sits at the crossroads of Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highway 95; it has grown steadily as affordable housing and highway access have drawn families who work in the metro area or in local healthcare, manufacturing, and retail jobs. The town is car-dependent, spread out along highway corridors, with limited walkability but a network of parks and trails, including the Sunrise Prairie Regional Trail.
Academically, the picture is mixed. The school participates in Minnesota’s state testing program, and results from the most recent school year show significant variation by grade and subject. In math, proficiency rates across tested grades were inconsistent: one grade posted a strong majority of students meeting standards, while another grade reported no students proficient. Reading and English language arts followed a similar pattern, with one grade reaching above half proficient and another showing no proficiency. Science results for fifth graders showed about a quarter of students meeting the state standard. Because data is available for only a single year, it is not possible to see whether these wide swings are typical or reflect the small size of each grade cohort.
On an overall proficiency index that combines tested subjects and grades, the school’s performance fell into the bottom quarter when compared with other districts in Chisago County. Parents considering the school may want to ask school leadership about the causes of the very low scores in certain grades and what supports are in place to address them. The school is a regular public charter, not an alternative or special-purpose school, so these results reflect the general academic program.
Enrollment is small, with students spread across kindergarten through sixth grade (the school’s data shows no seventh or eighth graders enrolled in the reporting year, though it is authorized for those grades). The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic and Black students, and a thin representation of multiracial students. Nearly half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is substantial and aligns with moderate-income household profiles common in the area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so it is unclear what share of the population receives special education or language support services.
Housing in North Branch is generally affordable relative to the Twin Cities metro, with home values close to the Minnesota state average rapid growth in recent years, though still below the national benchmark. The town’s steady population growth, driven by commuters seeking lower-cost homes, suggests a community that is expanding but still retains a small-town character. Families moving here for the housing market may find the charter school’s small scale appealing, but they should weigh the uneven state test results and the absence of multi-year trend data.
No recent parent-relevant changes were found in publicly available sources for this charter school. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to evaluate. A family considering Phoenix Academy would do well to visit, talk to current parents about the academic experience across grade levels, and ask how the school supports students in the grades where proficiency is lowest. The school offers a K–8 pathway in one building, which can simplify logistics for families with children in multiple elementary and middle grades. But the academic record suggests a need for follow-up questions before enrolling.
See more original research from School Decision →