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#1073 of 1,986 schools in MN

Cowern Elementary

Elementary School · North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale

2131 N MARGARET ST, North Saint Paul, MN 55109

Enrollment

397

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Saint Paul

#6 of 8

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#654 of 962

In district

#6 of 15

North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Cowern Elementary

COWERN ELEMENTARY is a public elementary school nestled in the large suburban area of North Saint Paul, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Cowern Elementary provides a warm and welcoming educational environment for its 397 students. The school boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention and support.

Cowern Elementary maintains a strong teaching staff with 35 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering the academic and social growth of their young learners. While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.0 out of 10 and the state ranking is 742nd out of 2,027 schools in Minnesota (placing it around the 63rd percentile), Cowern Elementary focuses on continuous improvement and development for all students. In terms of academic performance, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 46% meet proficiency standards in Math.

Cowern Elementary is a cornerstone of its community, offering resources and support to families within the North Saint Paul area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,432

Cowern Elementary — Students at Cowern Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
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
59%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
37%
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: 4.4/10.

How Cowern Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in MN
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

2131 N MARGARET ST, North Saint Paul, MN 55109

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cowern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Justice Alan Page Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Maplewood), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST PETER CATHOLIC (rated 6.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Metro Flex Academy (rated 6.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in North Saint Paul, see our North Saint Paul schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lionsgate Academy AIM North Saint Paul 0.5 mi 7.6
The Next Step North Saint Paul 0.5 mi 7.3
North Metro Flex Academy North Saint Paul 0.6 mi 6.2
North Metro Flex Middle School North Saint Paul 0.6 mi 7.6
Justice Alan Page Elementary School Maplewood 0.7 mi 7.0
622 ALTERNATIVE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL North Saint Paul 0.7 mi
622 Online High School North Saint Paul 0.7 mi 7.6
NORTH SENIOR HIGH North Saint Paul 0.7 mi 5.9
HILL MURRAY SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.9 mi 5.6
ST PETER CATHOLIC North Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.4
RICHARDSON ELEMENTARY North Saint Paul 1.0 mi 4.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL North Saint Paul 1.1 mi 5.9
MOUNDS PARK ACADEMY Saint Paul 1.2 mi 8.5
CASTLE ELEMENTARY Oakdale 1.5 mi 5.8
Harmony Learning Center Maplewood 1.6 mi 6.8
916 MAHTOMEDI ACADEMY White Bear Lake 2.2 mi 6.6
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Maplewood 2.2 mi 5.2
Beaver Lake Voluntary Pre-K Maplewood 2.2 mi
Passages Transition Program Mahtomedi 2.2 mi
PrairieCare Maplewood Maplewood 2.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,759

Median Home Value

$291,200

Median Rent

$1,316/mo

Population

34,266

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

65.1%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cowern Elementary has a median household income of $81,759. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,200, with a median rent of $1,316/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
COMO PARK ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN 6.2
International Spanish Language Acad Edina, MN 6.2
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Elementary Long Prairie, MN 6.2
New Century School Saint Paul, MN 6.2
OAK CREST ELEMENTARY Belle Plaine, MN 6.2
PINE HILL ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove, MN 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cowern Elementary

What grades does Cowern Elementary serve?

Cowern Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cowern Elementary?

Cowern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cowern Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cowern Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cowern Elementary rank in MN?

Cowern Elementary is ranked #1073 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Cowern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cowern Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Cowern Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cowern Elementary has 46.0% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cowern Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cowern Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cowern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cowern Elementary?

73.3% of students at Cowern 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

County Safety
Low (197/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Ramsey County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale
District Enrollment
10,633
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,478
District Rank
#6 of 15

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

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