Original Research by School Decision on E-laker Online School
E-Laker Online School is a full-time remote learning option for high school students in the Detroit Lakes Public School District. Serving grades nine through twelve, it is a regular public school that operates entirely online, giving families an alternative to the district’s brick-and-mortar high school. The school was launched relatively recently, part of the district’s effort to expand schooling choices.
The student body is very small, with enrollment spread across the four high school grades. About half of the students are White, and a substantial share are American Indian or Alaska Native, with smaller numbers of Black students and those identifying as two or more races. Roughly half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common measure of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners is not available in the records reviewed, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about how those populations are served and supported in the online setting.
State testing data for E-Laker Online School is extremely limited. The only reported result is a single year of math proficiency: no students met the proficiency benchmark. No reading or science assessment data is available. The school’s graduation rate is also not reported, which may be a function of its small size or recent launch—the district’s own materials describe the online school as a new program. Without a track record of test scores or graduation outcomes, it is difficult to assess academic performance at this school. A parent considering this option would have good reason to ask the school for more detailed information on student progress, course completion, and postsecondary readiness.
Detroit Lakes, where the district is based, is a seasonal tourism hub and the county seat of Becker County. The local economy relies heavily on summer visitors, with numerous hotels and resorts, and the downtown includes historic commercial buildings alongside newer chain retail along the highways. The school district is one of the largest employers in the area. The district itself recently completed a major remodel and expansion of Detroit Lakes High School, including a new freshman wing, field house, and renovated career and technical education spaces. That investment points to a district committed to updating its physical facilities, though E-Laker Online School operates outside that physical campus.
For a family exploring remote high school options, E-Laker Online School offers a structured public school path with a district backing, but the academic data available is too sparse to give a clear picture of outcomes. The very small enrollment suggests a close-knit environment, though one with limited peer interaction by design. A parent would be wise to contact the school directly to understand course offerings, teacher support, and how online learning is implemented day to day. The absence of published test scores and graduation rates does not mean the school is failing—it means the public record does not yet hold enough information to draw conclusions.
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