Average
#1128 of 1,986 schools in MN
Heart of the Lake Elementary
Elementary School · PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
810 2ND AVE SW, Perham, MN 56573
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Perham
#3 of 4
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#675 of 962
In district
#3 of 4
PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Heart of the Lake Elementary
Heart of the Lake Elementary is a charming rural school in Perham, Minnesota, nestled in Otter Tail County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and has an enrollment of 596 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. With 45 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a supportive learning environment.
Heart of the Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 57th percentile among Minnesota schools. The academic performance reflects an average score of 6.9/10, with 53% of students proficient or above in ELA and 59% proficient or above in math. While there is room for improvement in test scores, Heart of the Lake Elementary focuses on student development through a range of programs tailored to meet individual needs.
The school's location in a remote rural setting offers a unique community atmosphere where families are close-knit and supportive. Heart of the Lake Elementary stands as an integral part of its rural community, providing a nurturing educational environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Heart of the Lake 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 metricsView breakdown
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Heart of the Lake Elementary — Students at Heart of the Lake Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.9%
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: 4.7/10.
How Heart of the Lake Elementary Compares
See how Heart of the Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 50% (2022).
Location
810 2ND AVE SW, Perham, MN 56573
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heart of the Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Battle Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby New York Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRAZEE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Frazee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Perham, see our Perham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PRAIRIE WIND MIDDLE Perham | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| PERHAM AREA LEARNING CENTER Perham | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| PERHAM SENIOR HIGH Perham | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Perham | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST HENRYS AREA SCHOOL Perham | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| FRAZEE SECONDARY Frazee | 11.3 mi | 4.5 |
| FRAZEE ELEMENTARY Frazee | 11.5 mi | 7.2 |
| NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills | 10.7 mi | 7.3 |
| NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills | 10.7 mi | 6.1 |
| HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning | 19.6 mi | 7.1 |
| HENNING SECONDARY Henning | 19.6 mi | 5.4 |
| BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Battle Lake | 22.0 mi | 8.8 |
| BATTLE LAKE SECONDARY Battle Lake | 22.0 mi | 6.9 |
| DETROIT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Detroit Lakes | 19.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Laker Transitions Detroit Lakes | 20.2 mi | — |
| LINCOLN EARLY CHILDHOOD ED. CENTER Detroit Lakes | 19.8 mi | 5.5 |
| DETROIT LAKES MIDDLE Detroit Lakes | 20.2 mi | 5.4 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Detroit Lakes | 20.2 mi | 6.5 |
| DETROIT LAKES AREA LEARNING CENTER Detroit Lakes | 20.3 mi | 6.1 |
| HOLY ROSARY Detroit Lakes | 20.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56573 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,080
Median Home Value
$256,900
Median Rent
$805/mo
Population
6,868
College Educated
29.5%
Homeownership
73.1%
Avg Commute
16.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Heart of the Lake Elementary has a median household income of $68,080. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,900, with a median rent of $805/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| BLUE HERON ELEMENTARY Lino Lakes, MN | 6.1 |
| CHALLENGER ELEMENTARY Thief River Falls, MN | 6.1 |
| FALCON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Falcon Heights, MN | 6.1 |
| LAKEAIRES ELEMENTARY White Bear Lake, MN | 6.1 |
| Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Saint Paul Park, MN | 6.1 |
| OAK HILL COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY Saint Cloud, MN | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heart of the Lake Elementary
What grades does Heart of the Lake Elementary serve?
Heart of the Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Heart of the Lake Elementary?
Heart of the Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 596 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heart of the Lake Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Heart of the Lake Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Heart of the Lake Elementary rank in MN?
Heart of the Lake Elementary is ranked #1128 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Heart of the Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Heart of the Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Heart of the Lake Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heart of the Lake Elementary has 58.7% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Heart of the Lake Elementary a charter school?
No, Heart of the Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Heart of the Lake Elementary a Title I school?
No, Heart of the Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heart of the Lake Elementary?
41.9% of students at Heart of the Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (377/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Perham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 596
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Otter Tail County
- Phone
- (218) 346-5437
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,687
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,316
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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