Below Average
#1805 of 1,986 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
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bemidji
#15 of 17
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#897 of 962
In district
#11 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Horace May Elementary
Horace May Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Bemidji, Minnesota, serving the rural area near the town. The school offers education from pre-kindergarten through third grade and currently has an enrollment of 307 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Horace May Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its young scholars.
The academic performance at Horace May Elementary is in the 28th percentile among Minnesota schools, as indicated by a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.7 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 40% of students are proficient or above, while 52% achieve proficiency in math. While the school's test scores suggest there is room for improvement, Horace May Elementary focuses on nurturing student development and fostering a love of learning from an early age.
Horace May Elementary is situated in a rural setting near Bemidji, where it plays an integral role in supporting the local community’s educational needs.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Horace May 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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Data not available for this school
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Horace May Elementary — Students at Horace May Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
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: 2.2/10.
How Horace May Elementary Compares
See how Horace May Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 7.5 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 4.4 mi | 5.1 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 4.5 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 4.9 mi | — |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 5.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 5.3 mi | 2.6 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 5.2 mi | — |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 5.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 6.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 6.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 4.9 mi | 8.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Horace May Elementary has a median household income of $69,782. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,400, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| ANDERSEN ELEMENTARY Bayport, MN | 4.4 |
| Lowell Elementary Duluth, MN | 4.4 |
| Northland Elementary Remer, MN | 4.4 |
| SAUK CENTRE ELEMENTARY Sauk Centre, MN | 4.4 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeville, MN | 4.5 |
| Athlos Academy of Saint Cloud Saint Cloud, MN | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #1805 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Horace May Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Horace May Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Horace May Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horace May Elementary has 52.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,419/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bemidji). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 333-3240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,812
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
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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