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Below Average

#1652 of 1,992 schools in MN

Horace May Elementary

Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

Enrollment

307

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,652 of 1,992

In Bemidji

#15 of 17

public schools

In district

#10 of 11

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Horace May Elementary

4.8/10

Elementary School in Bemidji · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lincoln Elementary

7.0/10

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

Lakeside Learning Center

Nearby

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

About Horace May Elementary

Horace May Elementary is a public elementary school in Bemidji, MN, part of BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Horace May Elementary serves approximately 307 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Horace May Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,652 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Horace May Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Horace May 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 Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,202
Chronic Absenteeism23.5%

Horace May Elementary — Students at Horace May Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.1% (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
77%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
65%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
32%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Horace May Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in MN
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

Location

502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horace May Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 7.7/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bemidji, see our Bemidji schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 3.4 mi 7.0
Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji 3.8 mi
ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji 3.9 mi 4.8
BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji 4.0 mi
J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji 4.7 mi 4.6
FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji 4.4 mi 5.9
BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji 4.3 mi 5.9
BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji 4.3 mi 5.1
BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji 4.3 mi 5.7
OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji 4.9 mi
TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji 5.3 mi 5.7
Trek North Middle School Bemidji 5.3 mi 2.8
BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji 5.2 mi 6.6
BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji 5.2 mi
Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji 5.8 mi 7.7
Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji 6.0 mi 5.8
Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji 6.0 mi 4.9
Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji 4.9 mi 8.3
ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji 6.4 mi 3.5
PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji 6.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,782

Median Home Value

$242,400

Median Rent

$1,033/mo

Population

34,700

College Educated

37.8%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

36

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANDERSEN ELEMENTARY Bayport, MN 4.8
BIRCH LAKE ELEMENTARY White Bear Lake, MN 4.8
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY Minnetonka, MN 4.8
HUMPHREY ELEMENTARY Waverly, MN 4.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Faribault, MN 4.8
NORTH HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roseville, MN 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horace May Elementary

What grades does Horace May Elementary serve?

Horace May Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Horace May Elementary?

Horace May Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Horace May Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Horace May Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horace May Elementary rank in MN?

Horace May Elementary ranks #1,652 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Horace May Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Horace May Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Horace May Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Horace May Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Horace May Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Horace May Elementary a Title I school?

No, Horace May Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

44.0% of students at Horace May 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beltrami County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

District

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,812
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#10 of 11

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