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Excellent

#107 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 5% in state

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element

Elementary School · Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart

PO BOX 307, Hector, MN 55342

Enrollment

190

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#107 of 1,992

In Hector

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element

8.4/10

Elementary School in Hector · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Seconda

7.2/10

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

Swwc Elc - Cosmos

5.8/10

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

About Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element is a public elementary school in Hector, MN, part of Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart. Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element serves approximately 190 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #107 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts above MN schools
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 190 students, Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element 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.

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element 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 Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency65% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+29.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,096
Chronic Absenteeism11.1%

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element — Students at Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 75.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 73.8% (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
77%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
57%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element Compares

See how Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
95th percentile in MN
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.1%

Location

PO BOX 307, Hector, MN 55342

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CEDAR MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Franklin), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hutchinson Tiger Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Hutchinson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BOLD-Bird Island Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Olivia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hector, see our Hector schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Seconda Hector 0.0 mi 7.2
SWWC ELC - Cosmos Cosmos 13.6 mi 5.8
PRAIRE LUTHERAN SCHOOL UPPER SITE Fairfax 14.8 mi 6.4
BOLD-Bird Island Elementary Olivia 13.4 mi 7.4
BOLD Senior High School Olivia 13.4 mi 8.2
BOLD Middle School Olivia 13.4 mi 7.3
CEDAR MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Franklin 17.0 mi 8.6
PRAIRIE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Gibbon 17.2 mi 6.2
GFW Elementary School Gibbon 17.4 mi 6.3
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hutchinson 17.6 mi 2.4
New Century Academy Hutchinson 18.3 mi 5.1
HUTCHINSON WEST ELEMENTARY Hutchinson 18.5 mi 7.0
Hutchinson Tiger Elementary Hutchinson 18.5 mi 8.2
HUTCHINSON MIDDLE Hutchinson 18.6 mi 7.7
HUTCHINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL A.L.C. Hutchinson 18.6 mi 4.9
HUTCHINSON SENIOR HIGH Hutchinson 18.7 mi 6.1
CROW RIVER AREA LEARNING CENTER Hutchinson 18.7 mi
CORNERSTONE Hutchinson 18.7 mi
HUTCHINSON NIGHT ALT LEARNING CTR Hutchinson 18.7 mi
ST ANASTASIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hutchinson 19.1 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,257

Median Home Value

$148,100

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

1,884

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AVAIL ACADEMY - BLAINE Minneapolis, MN 8.4
Success Academy Bloomington Elem Bloomington, MN 8.4
ARGYLE ELEMENTARY Argyle, MN 8.3
BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY North Mankato, MN 8.3
GRAND MEADOW ELEMENTARY Grand Meadow, MN 8.3
J.A. HUGHES ELEMENTARY Red Lake Falls, MN 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element

What grades does Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element serve?

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element?

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element has an enrollment of approximately 190 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element?

The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element rank in MN?

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element ranks #107 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element a charter school?

No, Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element a Title I school?

No, Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element?

61.1% of students at Buffalo Lake-hector-stewart Element 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Renville County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.1%

District

Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart
District Enrollment
446
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,096
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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