Very Good
#364 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 18% in state
East Central Elementary
Elementary School · EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
61085 STATE HIGHWAY 23, Finlayson, MN 55735
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Finlayson
#2 of 4
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#303 of 962
In district
#1 of 3
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About East Central Elementary
East Central Elementary is a public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Finlayson, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 382 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. East Central Elementary earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the 68th percentile among Minnesota schools.
The school's academic performance reflects steady progress, with an average of 49% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 50% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While there is room for growth, East Central Elementary focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment tailored to the needs of its rural community. The school's setting offers students unique opportunities to connect with nature and engage in outdoor activities that complement their classroom studies.
East Central Elementary is deeply rooted in the Finlayson area, fostering a close-knit community where parents and teachers work together to support each student’s educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, East Central Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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East Central Elementary — Students at East Central Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.2%
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: 8.0/10.
How East Central Elementary Compares
See how East Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 53% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
61085 STATE HIGHWAY 23, Finlayson, MN 55735
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Moose Lake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PINE CITY ELEMENTARY (rated 6.7/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby Pine City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Finlayson, see our Finlayson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER Finlayson | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY Finlayson | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY Willow River | 9.6 mi | 4.3 |
| WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY Willow River | 9.6 mi | 6.9 |
| HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY Hinckley | 12.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Pine County Transition Program Hinckley | 12.4 mi | — |
| HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY Hinckley | 12.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Empower Learning Center Hinckley | 12.4 mi | — |
| MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY Moose Lake | 17.6 mi | 7.9 |
| MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY Moose Lake | 17.6 mi | 5.7 |
| MCF-MOOSE LAKE/WILLOW RIVER Moose Lake | 18.3 mi | — |
| BARNUM ELEMENTARY Barnum | 23.5 mi | 5.8 |
| BARNUM SECONDARY Barnum | 23.7 mi | 5.2 |
| PINE CITY ELEMENTARY Pine City | 25.6 mi | 6.7 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD Pine City | 25.6 mi | — |
| Vision Pine City | 26.0 mi | — |
| PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER Pine City | 26.3 mi | 6.3 |
| PINE CITY SECONDARY Pine City | 26.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Grantsburg High Grantsburg | 29.2 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55735 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,125
Median Home Value
$233,500
Median Rent
$968/mo
Population
1,802
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
92.4%
Avg Commute
35.1 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
52.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding East Central Elementary has a median household income of $62,125. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,500, with a median rent of $968/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AVON ELEMENTARY Albany, MN | 7.6 |
| BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY North Mankato, MN | 7.6 |
| CHERRY ELEMENTARY Iron, MN | 7.6 |
| GREENHAVEN ELEMENTARY Hibbing, MN | 7.6 |
| Global Arts Plus Lower Saint Paul, MN | 7.6 |
| HARTLEY ELEMENTARY Waseca, MN | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Central Elementary
What grades does East Central Elementary serve?
East Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend East Central Elementary?
East Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at East Central Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Central Elementary rank in MN?
East Central Elementary is ranked #364 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is East Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
East Central Elementary 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 East Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Central Elementary has 50.3% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is East Central Elementary a charter school?
No, East Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, East Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Central Elementary?
55.2% of students at East Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Pine County
- Phone
- (320) 245-6013
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 765
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,185
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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