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Very Good

#352 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 18% in state

Discovery Woods

Elementary School · Discovery Woods

604 N 7TH ST, Brainerd, MN 56401

Charter

Enrollment

104

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brainerd

#3 of 8

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#295 of 962

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Discovery Woods

Discovery Woods is a charter elementary school located in the remote town of Brainerd, Minnesota. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Discovery Woods has an enrollment of 104 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, the school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where each child receives individual attention.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Discovery Woods currently holds a 5.0 out of 10 overall score and ranks at number 1207 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it around the 40th percentile statewide. Academically, the school has room for growth; students demonstrate proficiency rates of 44% in English Language Arts/Reading and 21% in Math. Located in a remote setting, Discovery Woods is part of a tight-knit community where neighbors often know each other well.

The town offers a close-knit atmosphere that extends into the school environment, making it a warm and welcoming place for students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 104 students, Discovery Woods is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Discovery Woods offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Discovery Woods is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,817

Discovery Woods — Students at Discovery Woods score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Discovery Woods Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
82th percentile in MN
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

604 N 7TH ST, Brainerd, MN 56401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Woods may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NISSWA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Nisswa), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARRISON ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOWELL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brainerd, see our Brainerd schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd 0.2 mi 5.3
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BRAINERD Brainerd 0.2 mi
BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH Brainerd 0.8 mi 5.4
LOWELL ELEMENTARY Brainerd 0.7 mi 8.5
LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER Brainerd 1.0 mi 6.5
HARRISON ELEMENTARY Brainerd 0.9 mi 9.0
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Brainerd 0.8 mi 5.3
ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER Brainerd 1.1 mi 4.3
MIDDLE LEVEL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Brainerd 1.1 mi
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Brainerd 1.3 mi 6.3
OAK STREET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brainerd 1.7 mi
LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter 2.4 mi 3.3
BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter 4.2 mi 5.4
FORESTVIEW MIDDLE Baxter 4.5 mi 5.7
BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter 4.3 mi 7.1
NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa 11.7 mi 9.2
EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes 16.7 mi 7.1
CROSBY-IRONTON SECONDARY Crosby 13.6 mi 4.9
PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes 17.3 mi 3.9
PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes 17.3 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,269

Median Home Value

$237,900

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

31,749

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Discovery Woods has a median household income of $70,269. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,900, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
GREENBUSH ELEMENTARY Greenbush, MN 7.6
LYND ELEMENTARY Lynd, MN 7.6
Three Rivers Montessori School Elk River, MN 7.6
Notre Ecole Academy Golden Valley, MN 7.5
PRESENTATION OF MARY SCHOOL Maplewood, MN 7.5
RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond, MN 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Woods

What grades does Discovery Woods serve?

Discovery Woods serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Discovery Woods?

Discovery Woods has an enrollment of approximately 104 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Woods?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Woods is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Woods rank in MN?

Discovery Woods is ranked #352 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Discovery Woods's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Woods has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Woods?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Woods has 21.3% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Discovery Woods a charter school?

Yes, Discovery Woods is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Discovery Woods a Title I school?

No, Discovery Woods is not currently a Title I school.

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

67.3% of students at Discovery Woods 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
58 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,217/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brainerd). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Crow Wing County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Discovery Woods
District Enrollment
104
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,118
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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