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Below Average

#1686 of 1,992 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,686 of 1,992

In Buffalo

#8 of 9

public schools

In district

#8 of 9

Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools

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Discovery Elementary

4.7/10

Elementary School in Buffalo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Buffalo Early Child. Sp. Ed Program

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Parkside Elementary

7.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Discovery Elementary

Discovery Elementary is a public elementary school in Buffalo, MN, part of Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools. Discovery Elementary serves approximately 256 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,686 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • MN avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,682
Chronic Absenteeism9.4%

Discovery Elementary — Students at Discovery Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Discovery Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in MN
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

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 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 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 7.1
Tatanka Elementary STEM School Buffalo 0.6 mi 5.8
SWMetro Buffalo-Transitions Shakopee 0.6 mi
BUFFALO COMMUNITY MIDDLE Buffalo 1.0 mi 6.5
WRIGHT TECHNICAL CENTER ALC Buffalo 1.1 mi 5.3
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 8.2
Terra Nova School Buffalo 1.6 mi 5.7
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo 2.0 mi 5.4
BUFFALO SENIOR HIGH Buffalo 2.2 mi 5.7
PHOENIX LEARNING CENTER Buffalo 2.2 mi 4.6
Montrose Elementary School of Innov Montrose 7.6 mi 6.3
Monticello Nature Based Education Monticello 8.3 mi 4.0
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 6.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA ELEMENTARY Brooten, MN 4.7
HAMLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 4.7
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Sauk Centre, MN 4.7
HOOVER ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN 4.7
Hall Academy Elementary Minneapolis, MN 4.7
Nokomis Montessori South Campus Saint Paul, MN 4.7

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 ranks #1,686 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Discovery Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

District

Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
District Enrollment
5,282
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,682
District Rank
#8 of 9

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