Below Average
#1739 of 1,986 schools in MN
Discovery Elementary
Elementary School · Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
301 2ND AVE NE, Buffalo, MN 55313
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#8 of 9
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#874 of 962
In district
#8 of 9
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
About Discovery Elementary
Discovery Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Buffalo, Minnesota, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 256 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The teaching staff consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Academically, Discovery Elementary ranks in the 26th percentile among Minnesota schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 6.4 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 59% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 54% meet proficiency standards. Although the school has room for improvement in certain areas, it focuses on student development to ensure each child reaches their full potential.
Discovery Elementary is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering its students access to both small-town charm and nearby city resources. The setting provides a unique blend of community engagement and educational opportunities tailored to young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Discovery Elementary — Students at Discovery Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.5%
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: 4.0/10.
How Discovery Elementary Compares
See how Discovery Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
301 2ND AVE NE, Buffalo, MN 55313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Discovery Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORTHWINDS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Maple Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO EARLY CHILD. SP. ED PROGRAM Buffalo | 0.0 mi | — |
| PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY Buffalo | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Tatanka Elementary STEM School Buffalo | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| SWMetro Buffalo-Transitions Shakopee | 0.6 mi | — |
| BUFFALO COMMUNITY MIDDLE Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| WRIGHT TECHNICAL CENTER ALC Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| WRIGHT TECHNICAL CENTER ALC MIDDLE Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| Eastern Wright Program Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| CORNERSTONES PROGRAM Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| NORTHWINDS ELEMENTARY Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Terra Nova School Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| BUFFALO SENIOR HIGH Buffalo | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| PHOENIX LEARNING CENTER Buffalo | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Montrose Elementary School of Innov Montrose | 7.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Monticello Nature Based Education Monticello | 8.3 mi | 4.1 |
| SWMetro Lakeside Academy Shakopee | 6.0 mi | — |
| LAKESIDE ACADEMY Buffalo | 6.0 mi | — |
| ST TIMOTHYS PARISH SCHOOL Maple Lake | 7.2 mi | 5.4 |
| MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Maple Lake | 7.3 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,471
Median Home Value
$321,000
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Population
24,862
College Educated
30.9%
Homeownership
81.5%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Discovery Elementary has a median household income of $93,471. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $321,000, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Sauk Centre, MN | 4.7 |
| Jenny Lind Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 4.7 |
| LITTLEFORK-BIG FALLS ELEMENTARY Littlefork, MN | 4.7 |
| NELLIE STONE JOHNSON ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN | 4.7 |
| NRHEG ELEMENTARY Ellendale, MN | 4.7 |
| Evansville Elementary Evansville, MN | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Discovery Elementary
What grades does Discovery Elementary serve?
Discovery Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Discovery Elementary?
Discovery Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 256 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Elementary is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Discovery Elementary rank in MN?
Discovery Elementary is ranked #1739 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Discovery Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Elementary has 53.7% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Discovery Elementary a charter school?
No, Discovery Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Discovery Elementary a Title I school?
No, Discovery Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Elementary?
19.5% of students at Discovery 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
- City Safety
- Average (475/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 256
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Wright County
- Phone
- (763) 682-8400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,282
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,682
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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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