Tri-County School District

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 19 towns

Serves Karlstad, Hazelton Township, Lake Bronson, Nelson Park Township, Jupiter Township, Deerwood Township, Augsburg Township, Norway Township, West Valley Township, Percy Township, Strandquist, Lincoln Township, Arveson Township, Wright Township, Spring Brook Township, Halma, Lind Township, East Park Township and Pelan Township, and parts of New Maine Township, Dewey Township, Huntly Township and Tegner Township.

Students

179

Schools

Spent per student

$23,102

MN $17,091

Students per teacher

12:1

Free or reduced lunch

50%

Debt

$2.6M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about Tri-County School District

School Grade B: better than 62% of Minnesota districts
Reading / language arts 6 pts below the state
Graduation rate (4-year) 6 pts above the state
Spends 35% more per student than the MN average
12 students per teacher
Enrollment down 15.6% since 2020
Debt of $2.6M, about $14,413 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for River Falls Township.

PK–5Challenger ElementaryThief River Falls School District

6–8Franklin MiddleThief River Falls School District

9–12Lincoln Senior HighThief River Falls School District

Test scores vs. MN

2020–21

Math proficiency47%

State average 44.2%

Reading / language arts47%

State average 52.5%

Graduation rate (4-year)90%

State average 84.4% · small group: the state reports 80–100%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$23,102 per student · 35% above MN

Spending

Classroom instruction 57%Support & administration 38%Other 5%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 29%State 63%Federal 8%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

212’20

197’21

189’22

176’23

179’24

Down 15.6% since 2020.

Students

White 93%Hispanic 2%Black 2%Asian 2%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Two or more races <1%

Schools in the district

2 public schools.

Karlstad Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Karlstad

B−

96 students14:1

Tri-County Secondary

High · Grades 7–12 · Karlstad

B−

83 students11:1

Towns served

Karlstad 622Hazelton Township 218Lake Bronson 190Nelson Park Township 136Jupiter Township 135Deerwood Township 110Augsburg Township 109Norway Township 97 West Valley Township 96 Percy Township 91 Strandquist 91 Lincoln Township 81 Arveson Township 69 Wright Township 63 Spring Brook Township 39 Halma 36 Lind Township 27 East Park Township 26 Pelan Township 23

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Greenbush-Middle River School DistrictComo Township, Deer Township, Hereim Township

$19,473per student

Kittson Central School DistrictDavis Township, Kennedy, Skane Township

$20,581per student

Stephen-Argyle Central SchoolsFoldahl Township, Sinnott Township, Wanger Township

$18,953per student

Marshall County Central SchoolsFoldahl Township, Marsh Grove Township, New Folden Township

$15,693per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.