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Average

#1316 of 1,992 schools in MN

Great Expectations

Elementary School · GREAT EXPECTATIONS

BOX 310, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Charter

Enrollment

120

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,316 of 1,992

In Grand Marais

#4 of 4

public schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Great Expectations

5.6/10

Elementary School in Grand Marais · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sawtooth Mountain Elementary

6.7/10

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

Cook County Senior High

7.4/10

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

About Great Expectations

Great Expectations is a public elementary school in Grand Marais, MN, part of GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Great Expectations serves approximately 120 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Great Expectations has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,316 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Great Expectations show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below MN schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 120 students, Great Expectations 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.

Great Expectations is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Great Expectations 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 Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,809
Chronic Absenteeism15%

Great Expectations — Students at Great Expectations score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 73.9% (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
69.5%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
49.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2014
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2015
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
34.5%
ELA
74.5%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
57%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Great Expectations Compares

See how Great Expectations performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in MN
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

Location

BOX 310, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Great Expectations may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COOK COUNTY SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY (rated 6.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COOK COUNTY MIDDLE (rated 5.7/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Marais, see our Grand Marais schools guide .

Nearby Schools

3 within 0.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Grand Marais 0.4 mi 6.7
COOK COUNTY SENIOR HIGH Grand Marais 0.4 mi 7.4
COOK COUNTY MIDDLE Grand Marais 0.4 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,458

Median Home Value

$307,100

Median Rent

$1,036/mo

Population

3,613

College Educated

49.4%

Homeownership

80.1%

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

54.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield, MN 5.6
HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City, MN 5.6
ST JUDE OF THE LAKE SCHOOL Mahtomedi, MN 5.6
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rochester, MN 5.5
ST ANNE SCHOOL Wabasso, MN 5.5
Quantum STEAM Academy Elementary Saint Paul, MN 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Great Expectations

What grades does Great Expectations serve?

Great Expectations serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Great Expectations?

Great Expectations has an enrollment of approximately 120 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Great Expectations?

The student-teacher ratio at Great Expectations is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Great Expectations rank in MN?

Great Expectations ranks #1,316 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Great Expectations's MySchoolScout rating?

Great Expectations has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Great Expectations?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Great Expectations has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Great Expectations a charter school?

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

Is Great Expectations a Title I school?

No, Great Expectations is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Great Expectations?

36.7% of students at Great Expectations qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

4 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cook County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

District

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
District Enrollment
120
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,809
District Rank
#1 of 1

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