Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School is a K-12 tribal school in unincorporated Cass County, Minnesota, near Bena. It is affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education. Located on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, it serves the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. It is nicknamed the "Bug School".
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School serves 139 students in grades Kindergarten-12.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 45%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 15-19% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 46:1 is higher than the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 139 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 46:1
- Graduation Rate: ≥50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5%
- Reading Proficiency: 15-19%
- Science Proficiency: ≤20%
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Student Attention
School Overview
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School's student population of 139 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 3 teachers has declined by 88% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
139 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
3 teachers
School Rankings
The diversity score of Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School is 0.00, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
41%
Student : Teacher Ratio
46:1
13:1
American Indian
100%
2%
Asian
n/a
7%
Hispanic
n/a
12%
Black
n/a
12%
White
n/a
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥50%
84%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
98%
36%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 45% MN state average), while 15-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School?
The graduation rate of Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School is 50%, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School?
139 students attend Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
100% of Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School?
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School has a student ration of 46:1, which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School offer ?
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School part of?
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School is part of Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School District.
School Reviews
Review Bug-o-nay-ge-shig 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

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.