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Very Good

#301 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 15% in state

Garfield Elementary

Elementary School · ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 158, Garfield, MN 56332

Enrollment

124

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#301 of 1,992

In district

#1 of 9

ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Garfield Elementary

7.7/10

Elementary School in Garfield · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lakes Country Academy - Alex

Nearby

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

Brandon Elementary

5.2/10

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

About Garfield Elementary

Garfield Elementary is a public elementary school in Garfield, MN, part of ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Garfield Elementary serves approximately 124 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Garfield Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #301 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Garfield Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.1
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 124 students, Garfield Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Garfield Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency70% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,622
Chronic Absenteeism6.5%

Garfield Elementary — Students at Garfield Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 78.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.8% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2016
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Garfield Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in MN
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.5%

Location

PO BOX 158, Garfield, MN 56332

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), with a very similar rating. Another option is LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PARKERS PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Parkers Prairie), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Garfield, see our Garfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakes Country Academy - ALEX Fergus Falls 6.0 mi
Brandon Elementary Brandon 5.7 mi 5.2
Brandon-Evansville Middle School Brandon 5.7 mi 6.5
Brandon-Evansville High School Brandon 5.7 mi 7.1
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Alexandria 6.4 mi 7.2
VOYAGER ELEMENTARY Alexandria 5.9 mi 6.5
ST MARYS SCHOOL Alexandria 6.6 mi 5.5
Kalon Prep Academy Alexandria 7.1 mi 4.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alexandria 6.7 mi 4.5
Runestone Alternative School Alexandria 6.5 mi 6.2
Discovery Middle School Alexandria 7.2 mi 6.7
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexandria 7.8 mi 7.5
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Alexandria 7.8 mi 4.3
Alexandria Area High School Alexandria 8.6 mi 6.0
NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria 7.6 mi 7.4
CARLOS ELEMENTARY Carlos 9.7 mi 6.8
Evansville Elementary Evansville 10.6 mi 5.9
MILTONA ELEMENTARY Miltona 11.9 mi 6.8
PARKERS PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Parkers Prairie 16.2 mi 7.1
WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. Kensington 14.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,875

Median Home Value

$258,800

Population

1,658

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

93.9%

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

44.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji, MN 7.7
GREENBUSH ELEMENTARY Greenbush, MN 7.7
TRINITY LONE OAK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Eagan, MN 7.7
Friendship Academy of Arts-Primary Minneapolis, MN 7.8
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Webster, MN 7.8
KITTSON CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Hallock, MN 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garfield Elementary

What grades does Garfield Elementary serve?

Garfield Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Garfield Elementary?

Garfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 124 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garfield Elementary rank in MN?

Garfield Elementary ranks #301 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Garfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Garfield Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Garfield Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Garfield Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Garfield Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Garfield Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

21.8% of students at Garfield 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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
124
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.5%

District

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

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