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Below Average

#1718 of 1,992 schools in MN

Cass Lake-bena Elementary

Elementary School · CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

15 4TH ST NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633

Enrollment

458

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,718 of 1,992

In Cass Lake

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Cass Lake-bena Elementary

4.6/10

Elementary School in Cass Lake · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.

6.5/10

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

Cass Lake-bena Middle School

4.6/10

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

About Cass Lake-bena Elementary

Cass Lake-bena Elementary is a public elementary school in Cass Lake, MN, part of CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Cass Lake-bena Elementary serves approximately 458 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cass Lake-bena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,718 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Cass Lake-bena Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below MN schools
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Cass Lake-bena 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.

68% of students at Cass Lake-bena Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,906
Chronic Absenteeism68.3%

Cass Lake-bena Elementary — Students at Cass Lake-bena Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.3% (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
62%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
31%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
22%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Cass Lake-bena Elementary Compares

See how Cass Lake-bena Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in MN
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
68.3%

Location

15 4TH ST NW, Cass Lake, MN 56633

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cass Lake-bena Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 7.7/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores notably higher. Another option is LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAPORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cass Lake, see our Cass Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. Cass Lake 0.1 mi 6.5
CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cass Lake 1.8 mi 4.6
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake 1.8 mi 7.0
LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte 13.8 mi 6.9
LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte 13.8 mi 4.4
Laporte Middle School Laporte 13.8 mi 5.6
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 12.7 mi 7.0
HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji 12.5 mi 4.8
W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker 19.6 mi 6.5
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker 19.7 mi 7.0
ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji 14.5 mi 4.8
Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji 14.5 mi
Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School Bena 13.9 mi
Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji 15.3 mi 5.8
Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji 15.3 mi 4.9
Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji 15.2 mi 7.7
J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji 14.9 mi 4.6
BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji 15.3 mi
Up North Learning Center Walker 21.6 mi
FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji 15.5 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56633 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,422

Median Home Value

$157,900

Median Rent

$873/mo

Population

4,863

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

25.2%

Median Age

30.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DISCOVERY COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY Waite Park, MN 4.6
EDWARD NEILL ELEMENTARY Burnsville, MN 4.6
Folwell Elementary Minneapolis, MN 4.6
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN 4.6
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Elementary Long Prairie, MN 4.6
PILOT KNOB STEM MAGNET SCHOOL Eagan, MN 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cass Lake-bena Elementary

What grades does Cass Lake-bena Elementary serve?

Cass Lake-bena Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Cass Lake-bena Elementary?

Cass Lake-bena Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 458 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cass Lake-bena Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cass Lake-bena Elementary rank in MN?

Cass Lake-bena Elementary ranks #1,718 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Cass Lake-bena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cass Lake-bena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Cass Lake-bena Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cass Lake-bena Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Cass Lake-bena Elementary a charter school?

No, Cass Lake-bena Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cass Lake-bena Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cass Lake-bena Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cass Lake-bena Elementary?

86.2% of students at Cass Lake-bena 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
68.3%

District

CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
1,112
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,906
District Rank
#3 of 4

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