Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1937 of 1,986 schools in MN

Blue Earth Area Elementary

Elementary School · Blue Earth Area School District

315 E 6TH ST, Blue Earth, MN 56013

Enrollment

512

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blue Earth

#3 of 3

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#954 of 962

In district

#3 of 3

Blue Earth Area School District

About Blue Earth Area Elementary

Blue Earth Area Elementary is a regular public elementary school serving preschool through fifth grade students in Blue Earth, Minnesota. With an enrollment of 512 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. Located in a remote rural area, the campus offers a close-knit community feel where teachers are well-known by parents and students alike.

The academic performance at Blue Earth Area Elementary shows room for improvement with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1792 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it in the 12th percentile. On standardized tests, 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 40% are proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

Blue Earth Area Elementary is situated in a rural setting where families often know each other well, fostering a strong sense of community among students, teachers, and parents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Blue Earth Area 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 Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,092

Blue Earth Area Elementary — Students at Blue Earth Area Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.7%
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
55%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
35%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Blue Earth Area Elementary Compares

See how Blue Earth Area Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in MN
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

315 E 6TH ST, Blue Earth, MN 56013

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Earth Area Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Kossuth Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Swea City), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center (rated 7.3/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Buffalo Center), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Fairmont), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Blue Earth, see our Blue Earth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth 0.0 mi
BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth 0.1 mi 6.4
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth 0.9 mi 6.1
GENESIS CLASSICAL ACADEMY Winnebago 9.6 mi 7.3
Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada 13.0 mi 4.2
Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch Granada 13.0 mi 7.4
Granada Huntley East Chain Middle S Granada 13.0 mi 5.8
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 18.9 mi 7.3
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 18.9 mi 5.9
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center 18.9 mi 7.7
Maple River Secondary Mapleton 20.6 mi 6.7
Maple River Elementary Mapleton 20.6 mi 6.0
North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City 20.6 mi 9.3
North Union Middle School Swea City 20.6 mi 9.0
MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Northrop 18.1 mi 6.6
ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont 18.0 mi 6.4
FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL Fairmont 17.5 mi 4.2
FAIRMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairmont 17.5 mi
FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmont 17.7 mi 6.2
ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Fairmont 17.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,360

Median Home Value

$160,700

Median Rent

$926/mo

Population

4,534

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

72.2%

Avg Commute

13.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

45.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Blue Earth Area Elementary has a median household income of $64,360. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,700, with a median rent of $926/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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
EXCELL ACADEMY CHARTER Brooklyn Park, MN 3.5
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brooklyn Park, MN 3.5
LAURA MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY Duluth, MN 3.6
PILLSBURY ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN 3.6
ACHIEVE LANGUAGE ACADEMY Saint Paul, MN 3.7
HOPE Community Academy Elementary Saint Paul, MN 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Earth Area Elementary

What grades does Blue Earth Area Elementary serve?

Blue Earth Area Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Blue Earth Area Elementary?

Blue Earth Area Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Earth Area Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Earth Area Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Earth Area Elementary rank in MN?

Blue Earth Area Elementary is ranked #1937 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Blue Earth Area Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Earth Area Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Blue Earth Area Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Earth Area Elementary has 40.3% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Blue Earth Area Elementary a charter school?

No, Blue Earth Area Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Blue Earth Area Elementary a Title I school?

No, Blue Earth Area Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Earth Area Elementary?

48.0% of students at Blue Earth Area 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
Average (569/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Faribault County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Blue Earth Area School District
District Enrollment
1,075
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,462
District Rank
#3 of 3

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

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.