Average
#1444 of 1,986 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
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cass Lake
#3 of 4
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#790 of 962
In district
#3 of 4
CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Cass Lake-bena Elementary
Cass Lake-Bena Elementary is a small rural elementary school located in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Serving students from preschool through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 458 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1 with 45 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting is remote, offering a close-knit community feel for its students.
While Cass Lake-Bena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.0 out of 10 and its state ranking is #1676 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (placing it around the 17th percentile), the school focuses on student development and growth. Academic scores reflect that 34% of students are proficient or above in math, while 27% meet proficiency standards in ELA/Reading. The school continues to work towards improving these metrics, ensuring all its young learners receive a supportive educational foundation.
Cass Lake-Bena Elementary is situated in a rural area where community ties run deep and everyone knows each other well.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cass Lake-bena 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Cass Lake-bena Elementary — Students at Cass Lake-bena Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
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: 3.8/10.
How Cass Lake-bena Elementary Compares
See how Cass Lake-bena Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 8.3/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAPORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), 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 | 6.9 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cass Lake | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte | 13.8 mi | 7.8 |
| LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte | 13.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Laporte Middle School Laporte | 13.8 mi | 5.7 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 12.7 mi | 7.5 |
| HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 12.5 mi | 4.4 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 19.6 mi | 5.6 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 19.7 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 15.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 15.2 mi | 8.3 |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 14.9 mi | 6.9 |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 15.3 mi | — |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 21.6 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 15.5 mi | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cass Lake-bena Elementary has a median household income of $62,422. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,900, with a median rent of $873/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| ALBERTVILLE PRIMARY Albertville, MN | 5.4 |
| BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter, MN | 5.4 |
| BISHOP ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 5.4 |
| BRUCE F VENTO ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 5.4 |
| FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE LOWER Saint Paul, MN | 5.4 |
| FROST LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1444 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Cass Lake-bena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cass Lake-bena Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Cass Lake-bena Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cass Lake-bena Elementary has 33.7% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (495/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 335-2201
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 1,112
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,906
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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
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.