Step

Set in FOREST LAKE, Minnesota, Step is a tiny high school, one of the schools within Forest Lake Public School District. It works with 47 students across grades 10 through 12. Compared to the state average of about 371 students per school, that is 87% leaner than typical.

Within Forest Lake Public School District, which oversees 14 schools and 5,776 students, Step is one campus in the system.

Looking at the student body, Step shows that nearly all students (85%) are White. The remainder looks like 4% Hispanic, 4% Black, 4% Asian, 2% multiracial.

Looking at school resources, Step records 3 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 16.6:1. That tracks the state average closely. Around 30% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Washington County) records that median household income runs about $115,345, roughly 49% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 4%. In all, Washington County runs 103 public schools (combined enrollment of about 46,313 students), of which Step is one.

Forest Lake Elementary is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.1 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Step operates from a town-based location.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count grew 57%: 30 students in 2018 compared to 47 in 2025. The Asian share of enrollment expanded from 0% to 4% over that span. Class-load math has grew: from 6.5:1 in 2018 to 16.6:1 in 2025.

On the community side, members of the Step community share and discuss school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.