Excellent
#198 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 10% in state
Discovery Community Elementary
Elementary School · ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
700 7TH ST S, Waite Park, MN 56387
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waite Park
#1 of 4
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#184 of 962
In district
#2 of 16
ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Discovery Community Elementary
Discovery Community Elementary is a vibrant public school in Waite Park, Minnesota, located in a mid-size suburb. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 540 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 61st percentile among Minnesota schools.
Academically, Discovery Community Elementary focuses on fostering student development and growth. Students perform at a level that suggests there is room for improvement, with 27% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 23% proficient or above in Math. The school setting provides a supportive environment where students can thrive socially and emotionally while working to enhance their academic skills.
Discovery Community Elementary is situated in Waite Park, which offers a close-knit community atmosphere conducive to learning and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Discovery Community Elementary — Students at Discovery Community Elementary score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Discovery Community Elementary Compares
See how Discovery Community Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 26% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
700 7TH ST S, Waite Park, MN 56387
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Discovery Community Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Saint Cloud), with a very similar rating. Another option is ALL SAINTS ACADEMY-ST CLOUD CAMPUS (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Saint Cloud), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Cloud), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waite Park, see our Waite Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,387
Median Home Value
$230,500
Median Rent
$1,072/mo
Population
7,705
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
48.6%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
24.1%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Discovery Community Elementary has a median household income of $57,387. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,500, with a median rent of $1,072/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| BIRCHVIEW ELEMENTARY Plymouth, MN | 8.1 |
| CLEARVIEW ELEMENTARY Clear Lake, MN | 8.1 |
| COTTAGE GROVE ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove, MN | 8.1 |
| Dorothy Dodds Elementary School Moorhead, MN | 8.1 |
| EAGLE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shakopee, MN | 8.1 |
| GLEASON LAKE ELEMENTARY Plymouth, MN | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Discovery Community Elementary
What grades does Discovery Community Elementary serve?
Discovery Community Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Discovery Community Elementary?
Discovery Community Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 540 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Community Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Community Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Discovery Community Elementary rank in MN?
Discovery Community Elementary is ranked #198 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Discovery Community Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery Community Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Discovery Community Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Community Elementary has 23.0% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Discovery Community Elementary a charter school?
No, Discovery Community Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Discovery Community Elementary a Title I school?
No, Discovery Community Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Community Elementary?
84.8% of students at Discovery Community 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waite Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 540
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Stearns County
- Phone
- (320) 370-6180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 9,543
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,825
- District Rank
- #2 of 16
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
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