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Average

#735 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 37% in state

Discovery Middle School

Middle School · ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

510 N MCKAY AVE, Alexandria, MN 56308

Enrollment

874

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#735 of 1,992

In Alexandria

#3 of 8

public schools

In district

#6 of 9

ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Discovery Middle School

6.7/10

Middle School in Alexandria · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Runestone Alternative School

6.2/10

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

Zion Lutheran School

4.5/10

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

About Discovery Middle School

Discovery Middle School is a public middle school in Alexandria, MN, part of ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Discovery Middle School serves approximately 874 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #735 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Middle School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above MN schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MN avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency49% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment6.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,622
Chronic Absenteeism23.8%

Discovery Middle School — Students at Discovery Middle School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.4% (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
66%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
76%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
50%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Discovery Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
63th percentile in MN
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
6.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.8%

Location

510 N MCKAY AVE, Alexandria, MN 56308

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GARFIELD ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Garfield), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Alexandria, see our Alexandria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Runestone Alternative School Alexandria 0.6 mi 6.2
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alexandria 1.0 mi 4.5
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexandria 1.4 mi 7.5
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Alexandria 1.4 mi 4.3
NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria 1.3 mi 7.4
VOYAGER ELEMENTARY Alexandria 1.3 mi 6.5
ST MARYS SCHOOL Alexandria 1.3 mi 5.5
Lakes Country Academy - ALEX Fergus Falls 1.9 mi
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Alexandria 2.1 mi 7.2
Kalon Prep Academy Alexandria 2.4 mi 4.6
Alexandria Area High School Alexandria 3.1 mi 6.0
CARLOS ELEMENTARY Carlos 6.2 mi 6.8
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield 7.2 mi 7.7
MILTONA ELEMENTARY Miltona 10.6 mi 6.8
ST AGNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Osakis 9.6 mi 4.5
OSAKIS SECONDARY Osakis 9.9 mi 7.1
OSAKIS ELEMENTARY Osakis 10.0 mi 7.4
PARKERS PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Parkers Prairie 17.4 mi 7.1
MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY Glenwood 17.4 mi 6.9
MINNEWASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.ED. Glenwood 17.4 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56308 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,831

Median Home Value

$307,600

Median Rent

$921/mo

Population

26,695

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

72.6%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chippewa Middle School Shoreview, MN 6.7
KENWOOD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeville, MN 6.7
Edgewood Middle School Mounds View, MN 6.8
MAHTOMEDI MIDDLE Mahtomedi, MN 6.8
PRAIRIE WIND MIDDLE Perham, MN 6.8
Prairie View Middle School Otsego, MN 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Middle School

What grades does Discovery Middle School serve?

Discovery Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Discovery Middle School?

Discovery Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 874 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Middle School rank in MN?

Discovery Middle School ranks #735 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Discovery Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Middle School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Discovery Middle School a charter school?

No, Discovery Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Discovery Middle School a Title I school?

No, Discovery Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Middle School?

34.6% of students at Discovery Middle School 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.8%

District

ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,021
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,622
District Rank
#6 of 9

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