Below Average
#1852 of 1,986 schools in MN
Glacial Hills Elementary
Elementary School · GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY
P.O. BOX 189, Starbuck, MN 56381
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Glacial Hills Elementary — Students at Glacial Hills Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How Glacial Hills Elementary Compares
See how Glacial Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (320) 244-3334
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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