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Average

#787 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 40% in state

Emerson Elementary

Elementary School · Minneapolis Public School District

1421 SPRUCE PLACE, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Enrollment

504

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Minneapolis

#56 of 125

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#516 of 962

In district

#41 of 78

Minneapolis Public School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Emerson Elementary

Emerson Elementary, located in Minneapolis at 1421 Spruce Place, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 504 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a relatively small classroom setting that allows for personalized attention. The dedicated faculty comprises 36 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support each child's educational journey.

Emerson Elementary’s academic performance is rated at 2.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 45th percentile among Minnesota schools, with room for improvement in both ELA/Reading (28% proficiency) and Math (24% proficiency). Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment where students can thrive. Located in the heart of a large city, Emerson Elementary is situated within an urban setting that offers diverse cultural experiences and resources.

The school's community reflects the vibrancy and complexity of Minneapolis, providing students with opportunities to engage with their surroundings both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Emerson Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,154

Emerson Elementary — Students at Emerson Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
29%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Emerson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in MN
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

1421 SPRUCE PLACE, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LOVEWORKS ACADEMY FOR ARTS (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ella Baker Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Whittier Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Minneapolis, see our Minneapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
LORING-NICOLLET HIGH Minneapolis 0.3 mi 6.0
WELLSTONE INTERNATIONAL HIGH Minneapolis 0.3 mi 7.9
Wellstone International High - SWS Minneapolis 0.3 mi 5.3
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS Minneapolis 0.4 mi 5.6
CHILD GARDEN MONTESSORI Minneapolis 0.5 mi
FAIR High Minneapolis 0.5 mi 6.2
LOVEWORKS ACADEMY FOR ARTS Minneapolis 0.5 mi 6.4
MERC Minneapolis 0.8 mi 6.6
MERC Extended Minneapolis 0.8 mi
Whittier Elementary Minneapolis 0.9 mi 5.8
Metro College Prep Minneapolis 1.2 mi 5.2
SET Academy Middle Minneapolis 1.2 mi 4.0
SET Academy Elementary Minneapolis 1.2 mi 4.1
Metro 2 Online Minneapolis 1.2 mi
SIEMBRA MONTESSORI / CENTRO TYRONE GUZMAN Minneapolis 1.0 mi
Ella Baker Elementary Minneapolis 1.1 mi 6.2
HOPE ACADEMY Minneapolis 1.0 mi 6.6
AUGSBURG FAIRVIEW ACADEMY Minneapolis 1.1 mi 7.2
STADIUM VIEW Minneapolis 1.0 mi 6.3
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL TWIN CITIES Minneapolis 1.4 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,928

Median Home Value

$285,200

Median Rent

$1,199/mo

Population

17,354

College Educated

59.3%

Homeownership

25.1%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

15.4%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emerson Elementary has a median household income of $59,928. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,200, with a median rent of $1,199/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
ADAMS ELEMENTARY Coon Rapids, MN 6.8
ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN 6.8
BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA ELEMENTARY Brooten, MN 6.8
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY Circle Pines, MN 6.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY New Ulm, MN 6.8
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea, MN 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson Elementary

What grades does Emerson Elementary serve?

Emerson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Emerson Elementary?

Emerson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson Elementary rank in MN?

Emerson Elementary is ranked #787 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Emerson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson Elementary has 24.3% math proficiency and 27.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emerson Elementary a charter school?

No, Emerson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Emerson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Emerson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerson Elementary?

57.7% of students at Emerson 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

City Safety
High (6,330/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hennepin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Minneapolis Public School District
District Enrollment
29,063
Schools in District
98
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,839
District Rank
#41 of 78

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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