- Enrollment
- 1,537
- Students per teacher
- 21.1:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Bemidji, MN
First City School
Federal NCES profile for First City School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 68/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 270444000313
👥 S:T ratio 79
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 95
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
First City School earns 68/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 94% of Minnesota schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Minnesota schools.
- #2 of 10
- schools in Bemidji · Resource Index
- 68
- Resource Index · Higher
- 5.3:1
- small classes for Minnesota
- 93.3%
- free-lunch eligible
First City School has class sizes smaller than 94% of Minnesota schools. Computed live against every Minnesota school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, First City School ranks #2 of 10 schools in Bemidji, MN.
School address
District: Bemidji Public School District · Minnesota
NCES ID 270444000313 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-3 students YoY
First City School shrank from 45 students in 2022-23 to 42 in 2023-24 (-6.7%).
Teacher FTE held 10.0 → 10.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-3 students YoY 270444000313 · Bemidji, MN Other · SMALL · TRAD
48 enr · 5.3:1 · 93.3% lunch · RII 68
Nearest enrollment peer: Bemidji Senior High (1,537 students)
First City School shrank from 45 students in 2022-23 to 42 in 2023-24 (-6.7%). Teacher FTE held 10.0 → 10.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Minnesota schools → · Find another →
First City School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Bemidji Senior
Bemidji Senior High
1,537 students
- Bemidji Middle
Bemidji Middle
967 students
- Gene Dillon El
Gene Dillon Elementary School
667 students
- Lincoln Elemen 320
Lincoln Elementary
320 students
- Horace May Ele 300
Horace May Elementary
300 students
- This school 48
First City School
48 students
What this shows First City School reports 48 students on the CCD universe file.
How First City School compares
First City School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Minnesota and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Minnesota | Minnesota avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 5.3:1 | ▼ 66% | 15.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 93.3% | ▲ 118% | 42.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 48 | top 80% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
5.3:1
Leaner classes than 98% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
48
Bigger than 5% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
93.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 118% above the Minnesota average of 42.8%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
5.3:1
students per teacher
- 66% below state mean
Top 6% in Minnesota - lower ratio than 94% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
2.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
Below 5%, comfortably under the pre-pandemic national baseline for chronic absenteeism.
Funding equity
$15,202
per pupil, district-wide
- below Minnesota avg of $15,919
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 14 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 29.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 41.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 41.7%
African American 10.4%
Hispanic or Latino 4.2%
Two or More 2.1%
Largest group: American Indian / Alaska Native at 41.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 63.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 63.9, First City School is more mixed than the Minnesota school average of 42.8.
Programs
District finance for Bemidji Public School District reports $15,202 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How First City School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bemidji Senior High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bemidji Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Lincoln Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Horace May Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to First City School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 967
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 667
- Students per teacher
- 14.5:1
- Resource Index
- 20/100
- Enrollment
- 320
- Students per teacher
- 12.3:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 300
- Students per teacher
- 12:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~48 students)
Frequently asked questions about First City School
How many students attend First City School?
First City School has 48 students enrolled. It is an alternative school in Bemidji, MN. CCD year-over-year: 45 (2022-23) → 42 (2023-24), down 3.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First City School?
The student-teacher ratio at First City School is 5.3:1, which is 66% lower than the Minnesota average of 15.8:1 and 66% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at First City School?
93.3% of students at First City School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Minnesota average of 42.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of First City School?
The largest demographic group at First City School is American Indian / Alaska Native at 41.7% of enrollment, in Bemidji, MN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 63.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for First City School?
First City School has a Resource Investment Index of 68/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does First City School rank among schools in Bemidji?
By Resource Investment Index, First City School ranks #2 of 10 schools in Bemidji, MN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Bemidji on the city page.
What other schools are in Bemidji Public School District?
Besides First City School, Bemidji Public School District also operates Bemidji Senior High (1,537 students), Bemidji Middle (967 students), and Gene Dillon Elementary School (667 students). See the Bemidji Public School District district page for the complete list.