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Average

#997 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 50% in state

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary

Elementary School · HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 378, Heron Lake, MN 56137

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#997 of 1,992

In district

#1 of 2

HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Heron Lake-okabena Elementary

6.2/10

Elementary School in Heron Lake · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Heron Lake-okabena Secondary

5.4/10

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

St Johns Lutheran School

Nearby

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

About Heron Lake-okabena Elementary

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary is a public elementary school in Heron Lake, MN, part of HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. Heron Lake-okabena Elementary serves approximately 132 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Heron Lake-okabena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #997 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Heron Lake-okabena Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with MN schools
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 132 students, Heron Lake-okabena Elementary 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.

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary 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 Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,231
Chronic Absenteeism9.8%

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary — Students at Heron Lake-okabena Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.4% (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
67%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Heron Lake-okabena Elementary Compares

See how Heron Lake-okabena Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
50th percentile in MN
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

Location

PO BOX 378, Heron Lake, MN 56137

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Heron Lake-okabena Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Windom Area Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Windom), which scores notably higher. Another option is FULDA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Fulda), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARY'S SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Worthington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Heron Lake, see our Heron Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary Okabena 3.6 mi 5.4
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Okabena 3.6 mi
Round Lake-Brewster Elementary Brewster 10.1 mi 4.8
Round Lake-Brewster Middle School Brewster 10.1 mi 4.9
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield 10.5 mi 5.3
PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield 10.9 mi 4.9
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield 10.9 mi 5.7
WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom 10.7 mi 5.7
WINDOM MIDDLE Windom 10.7 mi 5.8
Windom Area Elementary Windom 10.9 mi 9.3
SWWC ELC - Windom Windom 11.0 mi 7.4
SWWC ALC - Windom Windom 11.0 mi 6.6
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom 11.4 mi
WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SECONDARY Westbrook 18.3 mi 7.8
FULDA ELEMENTARY Fulda 15.4 mi 8.0
FULDA SECONDARY Fulda 15.6 mi 6.4
WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Worthington 17.3 mi 6.4
WORTHINGTON SENIOR HIGH Worthington 18.2 mi 6.2
EARLY CHILDHOOD Worthington 18.2 mi 5.8
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Worthington 18.4 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56137 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,500

Median Home Value

$114,400

Median Rent

$738/mo

Population

1,091

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

84.1%

Avg Commute

17.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

42.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BADGER ELEMENTARY Badger, MN 6.2
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Circle Pines, MN 6.2
Pre-K - 5th Grade Building Clinton, MN 6.2
CRUCIFIXION La Crescent, MN 6.3
PINE HARBOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hastings, MN 6.3
SOUTH TERRACE ELEMENTARY Carlton, MN 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Heron Lake-okabena Elementary

What grades does Heron Lake-okabena Elementary serve?

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Heron Lake-okabena Elementary?

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Heron Lake-okabena Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Heron Lake-okabena Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Heron Lake-okabena Elementary rank in MN?

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary ranks #997 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Heron Lake-okabena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Heron Lake-okabena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Heron Lake-okabena Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Heron Lake-okabena Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Heron Lake-okabena Elementary a charter school?

No, Heron Lake-okabena Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Heron Lake-okabena Elementary a Title I school?

No, Heron Lake-okabena Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heron Lake-okabena Elementary?

56.1% of students at Heron Lake-okabena 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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Jackson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

District

HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
290
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,231
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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