Below Average
#1734 of 1,992 schools in MN
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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,734 of 1,992
In Waite Park
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#12 of 16
ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Discovery Community Elementary
Elementary School in Waite Park · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ec Sp Ed at Quarryview Ed Center
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Special Education Facilities
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Discovery Community Elementary
Discovery Community Elementary is a public elementary school in Waite Park, MN, part of ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Discovery Community Elementary serves approximately 540 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
Discovery Community Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,734 of 1,992 schools in MN. Structured state assessment records for Discovery Community Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 5.6
- MN avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
30% of students at Discovery Community 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Discovery Community Elementary — Students at Discovery Community Elementary score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
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 28 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: 2.7/10.
How Discovery Community Elementary Compares
See how Discovery Community Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Cloud), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Saint Cloud), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALL SAINTS ACADEMY-ST CLOUD CAMPUS (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Saint Cloud), which scores notably higher. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CASS LAKE-BENA ELEMENTARY Cass Lake, 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 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 ranks #1,734 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Discovery Community Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery Community 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 Discovery Community Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Community Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.4%
- Phone
- (320) 370-6180
Resources & Links
District
ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 9,543
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,825
- District Rank
- #12 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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