Average
#1264 of 1,986 schools in MN
Great Expectations
Elementary School · GREAT EXPECTATIONS
BOX 310, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Great Expectations — Students at Great Expectations score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
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: 4.5/10.
How Great Expectations Compares
See how Great Expectations performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (218) 387-9322
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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