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
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Discovery Woods — Students at Discovery Woods score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Discovery Woods Compares
See how Discovery Woods performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (218) 828-8200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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