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Below Average

#1852 of 1,986 schools in MN

Glacial Hills Elementary

Elementary School · GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY

P.O. BOX 189, Starbuck, MN 56381

Charter

Enrollment

99

Student-Teacher

9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Starbuck

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#915 of 962

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Glacial Hills Elementary

Glacial Hills Elementary is a charter school located in the remote town of Starbuck, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-K through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 99 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Glacial Hills Elementary is 3.8 out of 10, placing it in the 15th percentile among Minnesota schools based on its state ranking of #1731 out of 2027.

Academically, students at Glacial Hills Elementary score around the average proficiency levels in both ELA/Reading and Math, with roughly half achieving proficient or above. With a focus on individualized attention due to low student numbers, the school offers an environment where teachers can provide personalized support tailored to each child's needs. While there is room for academic growth, Glacial Hills Elementary strives to meet the unique educational requirements of its small community in Starbuck.

The setting provides a close-knit atmosphere that fosters strong connections between students and educators.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 99 students, Glacial Hills Elementary 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 9:1, Glacial Hills Elementary 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.

Glacial Hills Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-11.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,685

Glacial Hills Elementary — Students at Glacial Hills Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
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
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Glacial Hills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in MN
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

P.O. BOX 189, Starbuck, MN 56381

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Glacial Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. (rated 8.8/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Kensington), which scores notably higher. Another option is HANCOCK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Hancock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Glenwood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Starbuck, see our Starbuck schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Minnewaska Area WIN Academy Starbuck 0.2 mi 7.0
MINNEWASKA SECONDARY Glenwood 4.2 mi 6.4
Minnewaska Area Intermediate School Glenwood 4.2 mi 7.1
MINNEWASKA AREA JUNIOR HIGH Glenwood 4.2 mi 6.3
LAKE COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Starbuck 8.0 mi
MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY Glenwood 7.9 mi 7.9
MINNEWASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.ED. Glenwood 7.9 mi 7.2
WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. Kensington 13.9 mi 8.8
HANCOCK ELEMENTARY Hancock 14.5 mi 8.2
HANCOCK SEC. Hancock 14.5 mi 7.2
Heartland Girls Ranch Benson 20.1 mi
BENSON SECONDARY Benson 20.4 mi 6.2
BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER Benson 20.4 mi
Alexandria Area High School Alexandria 18.7 mi 4.9
Kalon Prep Academy Alexandria 19.3 mi 6.4
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Benson 20.5 mi 6.4
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Alexandria 19.8 mi 7.7
Lakes Country Academy - ALEX Fergus Falls 20.2 mi
ST MARYS SCHOOL Alexandria 20.6 mi 5.5
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexandria 20.3 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56381 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,348

Median Home Value

$226,000

Median Rent

$866/mo

Population

2,371

College Educated

20.4%

Homeownership

81.9%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

48.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Glacial Hills Elementary has a median household income of $78,348. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $866/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada, MN 4.2
SALEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stillwater, MN 4.2
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mayer, MN 4.2
CHRIST COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown, MN 4.3
Endazhi-Nitaawiging Red Lake, MN 4.3
Falcon View Connections Elementary Wabasha, MN 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Glacial Hills Elementary

What grades does Glacial Hills Elementary serve?

Glacial Hills Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Glacial Hills Elementary?

Glacial Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Glacial Hills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Glacial Hills Elementary is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Glacial Hills Elementary rank in MN?

Glacial Hills Elementary is ranked #1852 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Glacial Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Glacial Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Glacial Hills Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glacial Hills Elementary has 51.2% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Glacial Hills Elementary a charter school?

Yes, Glacial Hills Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Glacial Hills Elementary a Title I school?

No, Glacial Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

59.6% of students at Glacial Hills 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

County Safety
Average (290/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Pope County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY
District Enrollment
99
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,634
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 methodology

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