Average
#1063 of 1,986 schools in MN
Independence Elementary
Elementary School · BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
701 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309
Enrollment
694
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
694
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Lake
#2 of 5
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#649 of 962
In district
#2 of 5
BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Independence Elementary
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY is a regular public elementary school located in Big Lake, Minnesota, in the heart of Sherburne County. Situated at 701 Minnesota Avenue, this urban-fringe town setting makes it easily accessible for families. The school serves students from third through fifth grade, with an enrollment of 694 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1.
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY has 44 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping its students succeed. According to the MySchoolScout Rating, the academic score is 7.9 out of 10, placing it in the 64th percentile among Minnesota schools. Specifically, 59% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 61% meet proficiency standards in Math.
The school's performance shows room for growth but also highlights areas where its students excel. INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY is nestled in a town that offers a blend of rural charm with proximity to urban amenities, making it an inviting place for families seeking quality education within a supportive community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Independence Elementary — Students at Independence Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
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: 5.3/10.
How Independence Elementary Compares
See how Independence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
701 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independence Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastview Education Center (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Monticello), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LIBERTY ELEMENTARY (rated 6.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Big Lake, see our Big Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BIG LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Big Lake | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| SNW - Big Lake HS Transitions Big Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| BIG LAKE SENIOR HIGH Big Lake | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Big Lake Online K-5 Big Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| Big Lake Online 6-12 Big Lake | 0.3 mi | 2.8 |
| LIBERTY ELEMENTARY Big Lake | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Monticello Middle School - SNW Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| SNW Monti MS EBD Program Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| MONTICELLO MIDDLE Monticello | 3.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Intensive DCD - SNW Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| Foundations II Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| 882 Online 6-12 Monticello | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY Monticello | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Eastview Elementary School - SNW Monticello | 3.9 mi | — |
| Primary DCD - SNW Monticello | 3.9 mi | — |
| Eastview Education Center Monticello | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Monticello High School - SNW Monticello | 4.1 mi | — |
| SNW Monti HS EBD Program Monticello | 4.1 mi | — |
| MONTICELLO SENIOR HIGH Monticello | 4.1 mi | 4.8 |
| MONTICELLO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Monticello | 3.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,387
Median Home Value
$335,500
Median Rent
$1,463/mo
Population
21,406
College Educated
31.2%
Homeownership
91.1%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence Elementary has a median household income of $118,387. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,500, with a median rent of $1,463/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Ella Baker Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 6.2 |
| HILLTOP ELEMENTARY Inver Grove Heights, MN | 6.2 |
| International Spanish Language Acad Edina, MN | 6.2 |
| Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Elementary Long Prairie, MN | 6.2 |
| MISSISSIPPI HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Sauk Rapids, MN | 6.2 |
| OAK CREST ELEMENTARY Belle Plaine, MN | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independence Elementary
What grades does Independence Elementary serve?
Independence Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Independence Elementary?
Independence Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 694 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independence Elementary rank in MN?
Independence Elementary is ranked #1063 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Independence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Independence Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Elementary has 60.7% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Independence Elementary a charter school?
No, Independence Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Independence Elementary a Title I school?
No, Independence Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Elementary?
38.6% of students at Independence 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 (473/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Big Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 694
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Sherburne County
- Phone
- (763) 262-2537
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 3,157
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,268
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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