BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
9 GOODNEIGHBOR HILL RD
TOFTE, MN 55615
Charter School 42 Students
Elementary School K - 5th
School Overview
Birch Grove Community School is a tuition-free public charter school located in the scenic town of Tofte, Minnesota, serving students in grades K–5. Situated along the North Shore of Lake Superior, the school distinguishes itself through a unique, place-based curriculum that leverages the surrounding environment as a primary classroom. By integrating the local woods, trails, and shoreline into daily learning, the school emphasizes experiential education, environmental stewardship, and a strong connection to the local community.

The school is known for its small, intimate class sizes, which allow for individualized attention and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both academic growth and social-emotional development. Birch Grove prides itself on being a "community school," meaning it actively partners with local families and residents to create an inclusive environment where students are encouraged to be curious, creative, and engaged citizens. With a focus on holistic education, the school provides a nurturing space that balances core academic standards with the natural wonders and cultural heritage of the North Shore.
42
Total Students
3.7
Full-Time Teachers
11.4
Student/Teacher Ratio
54.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • White
    31 (73.8 %)
  • Two or More
    6 (14.3 %)
  • Hispanic
    5 (11.9 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Charter School
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Phone: (218)663-0170
Website: http://www.birchgroveschool.com
Grade Range: K - 5th
Total Students: 42
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 3.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 11.4
NSLP Participation:1 No
Qualified Free Lunch: 19
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 4

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Kindergarten 11
Grade 1 12
Grade 2 7
Grade 3 6
Grade 4 5
Grade 5 1
Gender Ratio