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Below Average

#1665 of 1,986 schools in MN

Appleton-milan Elementary

Elementary School · Lac qui Parle Valley Schools

349 S EDQUIST ST, Appleton, MN 56208

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota elementary schools

#854 of 962

In district

#4 of 4

Lac qui Parle Valley Schools

School environment

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Appleton-milan Elementary

Appleton-Milan Elementary is a small rural elementary school located in Appleton, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 223 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, ensuring individual attention for each child. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, Appleton-Milan Elementary is committed to providing a nurturing environment that supports academic growth and personal development.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 places it in the 38th percentile among Minnesota schools, with an academic score of 4.3 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 34% of students are proficient or above, while in math, this figure is slightly higher at 45%. These scores suggest that there is room for improvement, but the school remains dedicated to helping its students reach their full potential.

Appleton-Milan Elementary stands out as a warm and welcoming community hub in a remote rural setting. The school’s small size fosters strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and valued.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Appleton-milan Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,428

Appleton-milan Elementary — Students at Appleton-milan Elementary score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
32%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Appleton-milan Elementary Compares

See how Appleton-milan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
16th percentile in MN
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

349 S EDQUIST ST, Appleton, MN 56208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Appleton-milan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HANCOCK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 23.4 miles away, in nearby Hancock), which scores notably higher. Another option is STEVENS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Dawson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RAMSEY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Montevideo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Appleton, see our Appleton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY SECONDARY Madison 8.8 mi 5.3
LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Madison 8.8 mi 6.9
MADISON-MARIETTA-NASSAU ELEMENTARY Madison 15.4 mi 6.1
STEVENS ELEMENTARY Dawson 18.5 mi 8.0
DAWSON-BOYD SECONDARY Dawson 18.5 mi 5.1
HANCOCK ELEMENTARY Hancock 23.4 mi 8.2
HANCOCK SEC. Hancock 23.4 mi 7.2
RAMSEY ELEMENTARY Montevideo 21.8 mi 7.6
MN River Valley ALC-Seatbased Montevideo 22.6 mi 6.3
Sanford Elementary School Montevideo 23.0 mi 6.5
Hawks Nest Early Childhood Center Montevideo 22.8 mi
MONTEVIDEO SENIOR HIGH Montevideo 23.2 mi 5.8
SWWC ELC - Montevideo Montevideo 23.0 mi
Morris Area Secondary Morris 27.2 mi 6.0
Midwest Special Education Co-op Morris 27.3 mi
MONTEVIDEO MIDDLE Montevideo 23.4 mi 6.2
Morris Area Elementary Morris 27.3 mi 7.4
ST MARYS SCHOOL Morris 27.4 mi 7.4
CHOKIO-ALBERTA SECONDARY Chokio 27.2 mi 5.8
CHOKIO-ALBERTA ELEMENTARY Chokio 27.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,196

Median Home Value

$86,700

Median Rent

$691/mo

Population

2,097

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

79.6%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

51.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Appleton-milan Elementary has a median household income of $56,196. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $86,700, with a median rent of $691/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Kaleidoscope Charter Elementary Sch Otsego, MN 4.9
MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Mountain Lake, MN 4.9
ST. PAUL CITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 4.9
BETHUNE ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN 5.0
Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake, MN 5.0
DAYTONS BLUFF ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Appleton-milan Elementary

What grades does Appleton-milan Elementary serve?

Appleton-milan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Appleton-milan Elementary?

Appleton-milan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Appleton-milan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Appleton-milan Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Appleton-milan Elementary rank in MN?

Appleton-milan Elementary is ranked #1665 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Appleton-milan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Appleton-milan Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Appleton-milan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Appleton-milan Elementary has 45.3% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Appleton-milan Elementary a charter school?

No, Appleton-milan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Appleton-milan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Appleton-milan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Appleton-milan Elementary?

69.5% of students at Appleton-milan Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (221/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Appleton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Swift County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lac qui Parle Valley Schools
District Enrollment
834
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,825
District Rank
#4 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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