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Excellent

#156 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 8% in state

Gene Dillon Elementary School

Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

Enrollment

679

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

4th – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bemidji

#3 of 17

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#147 of 962

In district

#2 of 11

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Gene Dillon Elementary School

Gene Dillon Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bemidji, MN, part of the BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The school serves approximately 679 students in grades 4th – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 92.2th percentile among MN schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 44% proficiency in math and 54% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $69,782, where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gene Dillon Elementary School 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,614

Gene Dillon Elementary School — Students at Gene Dillon Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
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
45%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
53%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Gene Dillon Elementary School Compares

See how Gene Dillon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
92th percentile in MN
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gene Dillon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 4.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bemidji, see our Bemidji schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji 0.7 mi 4.5
BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji 0.7 mi 5.3
BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji 0.7 mi 5.9
BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji 1.7 mi 6.3
BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji 1.7 mi
PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji 2.2 mi
BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji 1.5 mi
FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji 1.6 mi 5.1
OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji 1.7 mi
ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji 2.6 mi 3.5
TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji 2.2 mi 6.9
Trek North Middle School Bemidji 2.2 mi 2.6
Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji 2.5 mi
J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji 2.7 mi 6.9
ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji 2.6 mi 4.8
Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji 3.6 mi 8.3
Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji 3.7 mi 5.6
Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji 3.7 mi 3.8
HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji 4.9 mi 4.4
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 4.3 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,782

Median Home Value

$242,400

Median Rent

$1,033/mo

Population

34,700

College Educated

37.8%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gene Dillon Elementary School has a median household income of $69,782. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,400, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
BRIDGEWATER ELEMENTARY Northfield, MN 8.2
COLOGNE ACADEMY Cologne, MN 8.2
Carver Elementary School Carver, MN 8.2
JORDAN ELEMENTARY Jordan, MN 8.2
LA ACADEMIA Chaska, MN 8.2
La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood Prior Lake, MN 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gene Dillon Elementary School

What grades does Gene Dillon Elementary School serve?

Gene Dillon Elementary School serves students in grades 4th through 5th.

How many students attend Gene Dillon Elementary School?

Gene Dillon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 679 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gene Dillon Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gene Dillon Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gene Dillon Elementary School rank in MN?

Gene Dillon Elementary School is ranked #156 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Gene Dillon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gene Dillon Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Gene Dillon Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gene Dillon Elementary School has 44.3% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gene Dillon Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Gene Dillon Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Gene Dillon Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gene Dillon Elementary School?

50.7% of students at Gene Dillon Elementary School 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,419/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
679
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beltrami County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,812
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#2 of 11

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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