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#1264 of 1,986 schools in MN

Great Expectations

Elementary School · GREAT EXPECTATIONS

BOX 310, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Charter

Enrollment

120

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Marais

#4 of 4

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#732 of 962

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Great Expectations

Great Expectations is a charter school located in the remote rural area of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, this small but dedicated school enrolls 120 students and maintains an impressive student-to-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. With just 12 full-time equivalent teachers, Great Expectations offers a personalized learning environment that encourages individual attention and support.

While the MySchoolScout rating for academic performance stands at 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Minnesota schools, Great Expectations is focused on fostering student growth and development. On standardized tests, 64% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school can work to enhance academic outcomes.

Situated in Grand Marais, this charming rural community offers a unique setting for Great Expectations. The school's commitment to its small student body and personalized approach makes it an integral part of the local community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 120 students, Great Expectations 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.

Great Expectations 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.

Located in a rural area, Great Expectations 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,205

Great Expectations — Students at Great Expectations score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

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 36.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
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
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
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: 4.5/10.

How Great Expectations Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in MN
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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 8.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COOK COUNTY MIDDLE (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 7.5
COOK COUNTY SENIOR HIGH Grand Marais 0.4 mi 8.9
COOK COUNTY MIDDLE Grand Marais 0.4 mi 7.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Great Expectations has a median household income of $71,458. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,100, with a median rent of $1,036/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Perham, MN 5.8
WRENSHALL ELEMENTARY Wrenshall, MN 5.8
GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville, MN 5.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL North Saint Paul, MN 5.9
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Glencoe, MN 5.9
MOST HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL Montgomery, MN 5.9

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 is ranked #1264 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Great Expectations's MySchoolScout rating?

Great Expectations has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Great Expectations?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Great Expectations has 36.2% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (728/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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