Item: Pine River-Backus School District
Rating: 5
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Pine River-Backus School District

401 Murray Ave
Pine River, MN 56474-0610

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (218) 587-4720

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 879 students in Pine River-Backus School District. This district's average is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.

Public Schools in Pine River-Backus School District have an score of 34% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (MN)

# Schools

5 Schools

2,724 Schools

# Students

879 Students

870,541 Students

# Teachers

70 Teachers

57,765 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
Pre-K	58	44
Kind	56	107
1	55	111
2	62	115
3	58	111
4	71	115
5	47	114
6	70	114
7	55	114
8	68	116
9	67	122
10	78	125
11	72	126
12	62	133

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District Rank

Pine River-Backus School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (MN)

#309 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District
2023	#309
2022	#342
2021	#356
2019	#297
2018	#306
2017	#262
2016	#322
2015	#331
2014	#363
2013	#373
2012	#337

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34%

46%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	34%	46%
2022	31%	45%
2021	26%	45%
2019	47%	56%
2018	49%	58%
2017	55%	59%
2016	48%	60%
2015	48%	61%
2014	46%	61%
2013	45%	61%
2012	54%	62%

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45%

51%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2022	45%	51%
2021	46%	53%
2019	55%	59%
2018	49%	60%
2017	57%	61%
2016	54%	60%
2015	52%	60%
2014	50%	59%
2013	44%	58%
2012	71%	76%
2011	66%	74%

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42%

41%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2022	42%	41%
2021	37%	45%

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87%

84%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	87%	84%
2022	72%	84%
2021	77%	84%
2020	72%	84%
2019	72%	84%
2018	87%	83%
2017	77%	83%
2016	67%	82%
2015	72%	82%
2014	82%	82%
2013	72%	81%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.15

0.59

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	0.13	0.59
2022	0.13	0.58
2021	0.11	0.57
2020	0.10	0.54
2019	0.10	0.54
2018	0.08	0.53
2017	0.08	0.53
2016	0.10	0.52
2015	0.10	0.51
2014	0.14	0.48
2013	0.15	0.47
2012	0.13	0.45
2011	0.12	0.44
2010	0.11	0.42
2009	0.11	0.41
2008	0.10	0.41
2007	0.13	0.40
2006	0.07	0.37
2005	0.10	0.37
2004	0.08	0.35
2003	0.07	0.34
2002	0.08	0.32
2001	0.06	0.31
2000	0.05	0.29
1999	0.04	0.28
1998	0.05	0.26
1997	0.02	0.24
1996	0.02	0.23
1995	0.04	0.23
1994	0.04	0.22
1993	0.06	0.21

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	2%	2%
2022	2%	2%
2021	2%	2%
2020	2%	2%
2019	2%	2%
2016	1%	2%
2015	2%	2%
2014	2%	2%
2013	3%	2%
2012	2%	2%
2011	1%	2%
2010	2%	2%
2009	2%	2%
2008	2%	3%
2007	2%	2%
2006	2%	2%
2005	1%	3%
2004	2%	3%
2003	1%	3%
2002	2%	2%
2001	3%	2%
2000	2%	2%
1999	2%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1995	2%	2%
1994	2%	2%
1993	2%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	1%	7%
2014	1%	6%
2013	1%	6%
2012	1%	7%
2011	1%	6%
2010	1%	6%
2009	1%	6%
2008	1%	6%
2007	1%	6%
2005	1%	5%
2003	1%	5%

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% Hispanic

12%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	1%	11%
2022	2%	10%
2021	1%	10%
2020	1%	9%
2019	1%	9%
2018	2%	9%
2017	2%	9%
2016	1%	9%
2015	1%	9%
2014	2%	8%
2013	1%	8%
2012	1%	7%
2011	1%	7%
2010	1%	7%
2009	1%	6%
2008	1%	6%
2007	1%	6%
2006	1%	5%
2005	1%	5%
2004	1%	4%
2003	1%	4%

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% Black

12%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2002-2022)
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2022	1%	12%
2021	1%	11%
2020	1%	11%
2019	1%	11%
2018	1%	11%
2017	1%	11%
2016	2%	10%
2015	2%	10%
2014	2%	10%
2013	3%	9%
2012	3%	9%
2011	2%	9%
2010	2%	10%
2009	2%	10%
2008	2%	9%
2007	3%	9%
2006	1%	8%
2005	1%	8%
2004	1%	8%
2003	1%	7%
2002	1%	7%

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% White

92%

61%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	93%	62%
2022	93%	63%
2021	94%	64%
2020	95%	66%
2019	95%	66%
2018	96%	67%
2017	96%	67%
2016	95%	68%
2015	95%	69%
2014	93%	71%
2013	92%	72%
2012	93%	73%
2011	94%	74%
2010	94%	75%
2009	94%	76%
2008	94%	76%
2007	93%	77%
2006	96%	79%
2005	95%	79%
2004	96%	80%
2003	96%	81%
2002	95%	82%
2001	97%	83%
2000	98%	84%
1999	98%	85%
1998	97%	86%
1997	99%	87%
1996	99%	87%
1995	98%	88%
1994	98%	88%
1993	97%	89%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2016-2023)
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	3%	6%
2022	2%	6%
2021	2%	6%
2020	1%	5%
2019	1%	5%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,639 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,860. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $14,299 is less than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (MN)

Total Revenue

$13 MM

$15,547 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	$13 MM	$9 MM
2022	$12 MM	$9 MM
2021	$13 MM	$9 MM
2020	$12 MM	$9 MM
2019	$12 MM	$8 MM
2018	$12 MM	$8 MM
2017	$12 MM	$7 MM
2016	$12 MM	$7 MM
2015	$10 MM	$6 MM
2014	$11 MM	$7 MM
2012	$10 MM	$6 MM
2011	$11 MM	$7 MM
2010	$10 MM	$6 MM
2009	$10 MM	$6 MM
2008	$11 MM	$6 MM
2007	$11 MM	$6 MM
2006	$11 MM	$6 MM
2005	$10 MM	$6 MM
2004	$10 MM	$6 MM
2003	$11 MM	$6 MM
2002	$10 MM	$7 MM
2001	$10 MM	$7 MM
2000	$10 MM	$6 MM
1999	$9 MM	$7 MM
1998	$9 MM	$7 MM
1997	$8 MM	$7 MM
1996	$8 MM	$6 MM
1995	$8 MM	$5 MM

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Spending

$13 MM

$16,179 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	$13 MM	$9 MM
2022	$13 MM	$9 MM
2021	$13 MM	$9 MM
2020	$13 MM	$9 MM
2019	$12 MM	$9 MM
2018	$13 MM	$8 MM
2017	$12 MM	$8 MM
2016	$11 MM	$7 MM
2015	$11 MM	$6 MM
2014	$11 MM	$7 MM
2012	$11 MM	$6 MM
2011	$10 MM	$6 MM
2010	$11 MM	$6 MM
2009	$11 MM	$6 MM
2008	$11 MM	$6 MM
2007	$11 MM	$6 MM
2006	$11 MM	$6 MM
2005	$10 MM	$6 MM
2004	$10 MM	$6 MM
2003	$10 MM	$7 MM
2002	$10 MM	$7 MM
2001	$10 MM	$7 MM
2000	$10 MM	$7 MM
1999	$9 MM	$7 MM
1998	$8 MM	$7 MM
1997	$8 MM	$7 MM
1996	$8 MM	$6 MM
1995	$8 MM	$6 MM

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Revenue / Student

$14,639

$17,860

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	$14,250	$15,292
2022	$13,186	$14,997
2021	$14,250	$15,834
2020	$13,186	$14,997
2019	$13,023	$14,113
2018	$12,305	$14,902
2017	$12,454	$14,246
2016	$12,555	$13,431
2015	$11,284	$12,051
2014	$11,466	$12,820
2012	$11,184	$12,250
2011	$11,415	$12,557
2010	$11,092	$12,051
2009	$10,919	$11,416
2008	$10,770	$11,377
2007	$10,698	$10,573
2006	$10,279	$10,187
2005	$9,627	$9,471
2004	$9,618	$9,255
2003	$9,451	$9,258
2002	$8,089	$9,018
2001	$7,901	$8,614
2000	$7,375	$8,140
1999	$6,438	$8,059
1998	$6,648	$7,429

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Spending / Student

$14,299

$18,585

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Pine River-Backus School District	Minnesota
2023	$13,919	$15,221
2022	$13,263	$15,385
2021	$13,919	$15,759
2020	$13,263	$15,385
2019	$12,771	$14,956
2018	$13,947	$15,174
2017	$12,240	$14,982
2016	$11,557	$14,117
2015	$11,869	$11,992
2014	$11,386	$13,172
2012	$11,720	$12,023
2011	$11,023	$11,899
2010	$11,667	$11,992
2009	$11,847	$11,593
2008	$10,697	$11,230
2007	$10,478	$10,536
2006	$10,073	$10,149
2005	$9,477	$9,268
2004	$9,357	$9,179
2003	$8,793	$9,746
2002	$7,955	$9,476
2001	$7,891	$8,680
2000	$7,202	$8,712
1999	$6,505	$8,638
1998	$5,964	$7,392

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Best Pine River-Backus School District Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Pine River-backus Alp

Alternative School

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131

Gr: 9-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Rank: #22.

Pine River-backus Elementary School

(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

401 Murray Ave
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4447

Gr: PK-6 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Rank: #33.

Pine River-backus High School

(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

810 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4425

Gr: 7-12 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%

Rank: n/an/a

Pine River-backus Midlevel Alp

Alternative School

Add to Compare

1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131

Gr: 7-8

Rank: n/an/a

Prb Pequot Lakes Midlevel Alc

Alternative School

Add to Compare

30805 Olson St
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 568-9358

Gr: 6-8

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Pine River-Backus School District?

Pine River-Backus School District manages 5 public schools serving 879 students.

What is the rank of Pine River-Backus School District?

Pine River-Backus School District is ranked #329 out of 520 school districts in Minnesota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Pine River-Backus School District?

92% of Pine River-Backus School District students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, 1% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Pine River-Backus School District?

Pine River-Backus School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.

What is Pine River-Backus School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $14,299 is less than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 5 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 879 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 8%
: 87% (Top 30% in MN)
: Bottom 50%
: 34% (Btm 50%)
: 45% (Btm 50%)
: 42% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education