The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Nla-carlton
NLA-Carlton is a special education school serving students in grades four through twelve as part of the Northern Lights Academy Cooperative. Its designation as a special education school means it is organized around the needs of students who require specialized instruction and support, a distinctly different mission from that of a general-education public school. The school is small, with enrollment that reflects that targeted purpose.
The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial share of students identifying as two or more races, and smaller numbers of Black and American Indian or Alaska Native students. A modest percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school does not have public data on the share of students with individualized education programs or English learner status, though given its special education classification one would expect a high concentration of students with IEPs.
State assessment data is available but should be read with the school’s mission in mind. In the most recent testing year, math proficiency across tested grades was reported at zero percent for all students, and reading proficiency stood below one in five students. Science results were suppressed due to small tested counts, and the participation rate in science was substantial but incomplete. When compared with other districts in Carlton County, NLA-Carlton’s overall proficiency index placed in the bottom quartile. A parent evaluating these results should understand that many students in a special education setting may take alternate assessments or be assessed on different standards, so the standard state proficiency measure may not capture the academic growth that the school’s programming targets. The school itself would be the best source for how it defines and tracks progress for its students.
The school does not have reported data on graduation rate, chronic absenteeism, or discipline, and no program listings were available. These gaps are common for alternative and special-purpose schools whose data reporting can differ from traditional schools.
Carlton, the small county seat where the school is located, offers a quiet, car-dependent setting with a mix of residential neighborhoods and county government presence. The town sits on the northwestern edge of Jay Cooke State Park, and the nearby Saint Louis River provides a natural backdrop. The Willard Munger Bicycle Trail runs through town. Black Bear Casino Resort is a prominent employer, and county government and the local school district also provide jobs. Home values in the area are in line with state averages. The town has seen modest population growth and recently absorbed the neighboring community of Thomson.
For a family considering NLA-Carlton, the central question is whether a specialized special education setting in a small town fits a student’s needs. The school’s structure and staffing are aimed at students who require supports beyond what a typical school provides. Standard academic indicators are low, but that is consistent with a population that often enters below grade level. The lack of broader outcome data means a conversation with the school about its approach, student progress measures, and postsecondary transition services would be essential.
See more original research from School Decision →