Average
#1166 of 1,986 schools in MN
Bigfork Elementary
Elementary School · GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOX 228, Bigfork, MN 56628
Enrollment
149
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
149
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bigfork
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#697 of 962
In district
#8 of 10
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Bigfork Elementary
Bigfork Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Bigfork, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, this small school has an enrollment of 149 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. With nine full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Bigfork Elementary provides a personalized learning environment that supports individual student needs.
Bigfork Elementary's academic performance is currently at the lower end of average in Minnesota, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of 30th percentile among schools. On standardized tests, 49% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 42% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school is focused on student development and has room for academic growth.
Bigfork Elementary is situated in a remote rural area where the community values education and supports its young learners. This setting offers a close-knit environment where teachers know each child well and can provide tailored assistance to help them succeed.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 149 students, Bigfork Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Bigfork 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bigfork Elementary — Students at Bigfork Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.7/10.
How Bigfork Elementary Compares
See how Bigfork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
BOX 228, Bigfork, MN 56628
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bigfork Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KING ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 29.5 miles away, in nearby Deer River), which scores notably higher. Another option is COHASSET ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 33.2 miles away, in nearby Cohasset), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VANDYKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 33.4 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bigfork, see our Bigfork schools guide .
Nearby Schools
12 within 34.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BIGFORK SECONDARY Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 5.5 |
| DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River | 29.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Deer River High School ALP Deer River | 29.2 mi | — |
| Deer River Schools SPED Deer River | 29.2 mi | — |
| KING ELEMENTARY Deer River | 29.5 mi | 8.2 |
| COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset | 33.2 mi | 7.3 |
| GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine | 33.3 mi | 5.0 |
| GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine | 33.3 mi | 7.9 |
| GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids | 34.8 mi | 7.2 |
| VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine | 33.4 mi | 7.0 |
| MARBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Marble | 33.7 mi | — |
| NASHWAUK SECONDARY Nashwauk | 34.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56628 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,631
Median Home Value
$232,700
Median Rent
$1,129/mo
Population
1,649
College Educated
15.5%
Homeownership
88.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
56.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bigfork Elementary has a median household income of $58,631. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,700, with a median rent of $1,129/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia, MN | 6.0 |
| NEWFOLDEN ELEMENTARY Newfolden, MN | 6.0 |
| ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL Hastings, MN | 6.0 |
| ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN | 6.0 |
| Star of the North Academy Charter S East Bethel, MN | 6.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waconia, MN | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bigfork Elementary
What grades does Bigfork Elementary serve?
Bigfork Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Bigfork Elementary?
Bigfork Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 149 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bigfork Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bigfork Elementary is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bigfork Elementary rank in MN?
Bigfork Elementary is ranked #1166 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Bigfork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bigfork Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Bigfork Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bigfork Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bigfork Elementary a charter school?
No, Bigfork Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bigfork Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bigfork Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bigfork Elementary?
65.8% of students at Bigfork 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (295/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 149
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Itasca County
- Phone
- (218) 743-3444
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,024
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #8 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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