Skip to main content

Average

#1459 of 1,992 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

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,459 of 1,992

In Bigfork

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#9 of 10

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.1 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Bigfork Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Bigfork Elementary

5.3/10

Elementary School in Bigfork · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bigfork Secondary

7.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Deer River Secondary

6.4/10

29.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bigfork Elementary

Bigfork Elementary is a public elementary school in Bigfork, MN, part of GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Bigfork Elementary serves approximately 149 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Bigfork Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,459 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Bigfork Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 149 students, Bigfork Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Bigfork Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391
Chronic Absenteeism12.1%

Bigfork Elementary — Students at Bigfork Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Bigfork Elementary Compares

See how Bigfork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in MN
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.7/10, 29.5 miles away, in nearby Deer River), which scores notably higher. Another option is COHASSET ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 33.2 miles away, in nearby Cohasset), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VANDYKE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.7/10, 33.4 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), which scores notably 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 7.4
DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River 29.2 mi 6.4
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 7.7
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset 33.2 mi 7.7
GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine 33.3 mi 6.1
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine 33.3 mi 8.7
GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids 34.8 mi 7.8
VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine 33.4 mi 6.7
MARBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Marble 33.7 mi
NASHWAUK SECONDARY Nashwauk 34.1 mi 6.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake, MN 5.3
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pierz, MN 5.3
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield, MN 5.3
NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL Nerstrand, MN 5.3
OPEN ARMS EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CENTER Minneapolis, MN 5.3
SOLWAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji, MN 5.3

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 ranks #1,459 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Bigfork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bigfork Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bigfork Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bigfork Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

District

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,024
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#9 of 10

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.