Serving 42 students in grades 3-12, First City School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Minnesota for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤20% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 45%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤20% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 4:1 is lower than the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 39% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 3-12
- Enrollment: 42 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 4:1
- Minority Enrollment: 69%
- Graduation Rate: ≤20% (Btm 50% in MN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
First City School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
First City School's student population of 42 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 10 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 3-12
Total Students
42 students

Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers

Students by Grade

School Rankings
First City School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,860 schools in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of First City School is 0.61, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1651 out of 1860 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
45%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
51%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
41%

Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
13:1

American Indian
53%
2%

Asian
n/a
7%

Hispanic
2%
12%

Black
14%
12%

White
31%
61%

Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
6%

All Ethnic Groups



Graduation Rate
≤20%
84%

Eligible for Free Lunch
93%
36%

School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is First City School's ranking?
First City School is ranked #1651 out of 1,860 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤20% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 45% MN state average), while ≤20% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of First City School?
The graduation rate of First City School is 20%, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend First City School?
42 students attend First City School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of First City School students are American Indian, 31% of students are White, 14% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of First City School?
First City School has a student ration of 4:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does First City School offer ?
First City School offers enrollment in grades 3-12
What school district is First City School part of?
First City School is part of Bemidji Public School District.
School Reviews
Review First City School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

What are the Benefits of Magnet Schools?
Kate Barrington has compiled this guide to magnet schools, explaining their unique educational approach, core principles, benefits, and potential considerations for parents seeking alternatives within the public school system.

Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
This comprehensive article explores the pros and cons of school uniforms in public schools. It discusses their impact on safety, learning environment, self-expression, and cost-effectiveness. The piece presents statistics, expert opinions, and arguments from both proponents and opponents, helping parents make informed decisions about uniform policies.

Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.