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Average

#1545 of 1,986 schools in MN

Hawley Elementary

Elementary School · HAWLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOX 608, Hawley, MN 56549

Enrollment

592

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hawley

#3 of 3

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#818 of 962

In district

#2 of 2

HAWLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Hawley Elementary

Hawley Elementary serves 592 students in grades PK through 6 in the rural community of Hawley, Minnesota. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 16:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #475 out of 2,027 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 77th percentile.

Students show strong achievement across core subjects, with 61% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 59% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. Hawley Elementary serves a stable rural community where families value education and investment in their children's futures. The surrounding area reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $98,616 and median home values around $305,000.

About one-third of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the community maintains a low poverty rate of just 6.3%. As a regular public elementary school, Hawley Elementary provides a comprehensive foundation for young learners in Clay County. The school's rural setting offers students a close-knit educational environment where teachers and families can work together to support each child's academic and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hawley Elementary 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 Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,402

Hawley Elementary — Students at Hawley Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.0%
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
77%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
61%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Hawley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in MN
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

BOX 608, Hawley, MN 56549

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hawley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dorothy Dodds Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Moorhead), which scores notably higher. Another option is ULEN-HITTERDAL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Ulen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE PARK AUDUBON ELEMENTARY (rated 6.5/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Audubon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hawley, see our Hawley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Agassiz Education Cooperative Hawley 0.1 mi 5.3
INTENSIVE INTERAGENCY PROGRAM Hawley 0.1 mi
Glacial Ridge Transitional Skills P Hawley 0.1 mi
HAWLEY SECONDARY Hawley 0.2 mi 6.0
SPRING PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Hawley 7.1 mi
ULEN-HITTERDAL ELEMENTARY Ulen 13.7 mi 8.0
ULEN-HITTERDAL SECONDARY Ulen 13.7 mi 6.8
LAKE PARK AUDUBON SECONDARY Lake Park 10.4 mi 3.4
BARNESVILLE ELEMENTARY Barnesville 16.8 mi 4.9
BARNESVILLE SECONDARY Barnesville 16.8 mi 7.3
DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON MIDDLE SCH Glyndon 12.3 mi 6.0
DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON SENIOR HIGH Glyndon 12.3 mi 5.9
LAKE PARK AUDUBON ELEMENTARY Audubon 16.1 mi 6.5
NORMAN COUNTY EAST ELEMENTARY Twin Valley 26.1 mi 5.3
NORMAN COUNTY EAST SECONDARY Twin Valley 26.1 mi 7.4
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Elementary Dilworth 18.1 mi 5.8
Dorothy Dodds Elementary School Moorhead 18.3 mi 8.1
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Moorhead 18.8 mi 5.8
PELICAN RAPIDS SECONDARY Pelican Rapids 24.7 mi 6.7
VIKING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pelican Rapids 25.0 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56549 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,326

Median Home Value

$317,500

Median Rent

$750/mo

Population

4,656

College Educated

35.9%

Homeownership

83.7%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hawley Elementary has a median household income of $100,326. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $317,500, with a median rent of $750/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
ALICE SMITH ELEMENTARY Hopkins, MN 5.2
LILY LAKE ELEMENTARY Stillwater, MN 5.2
LITTLE CANADA ELEMENTARY Little Canada, MN 5.2
Lucy Laney Elementary Minneapolis, MN 5.2
BEACON ACADEMY Crystal, MN 5.3
EDGERTON ELEMENTARY Maplewood, MN 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hawley Elementary

What grades does Hawley Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Hawley Elementary?

Hawley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 592 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawley Elementary?

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

How does Hawley Elementary rank in MN?

Hawley Elementary is ranked #1545 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Hawley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hawley Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Hawley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hawley Elementary has 68.0% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hawley Elementary a charter school?

No, Hawley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hawley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hawley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

19.4% of students at Hawley 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

City Safety
Average (565/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hawley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HAWLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,062
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,422
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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