Very Good
#412 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 21% in state
Independence Elementary
Elementary School · BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
701 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309
Enrollment
694
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
694
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
3rd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#412 of 1,992
In Big Lake
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 5
BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Independence Elementary
Elementary School in Big Lake · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Big Lake Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Snw - Big Lake HS Transitions
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Independence Elementary
Independence Elementary is a public elementary school in Big Lake, MN, part of BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Independence Elementary serves approximately 694 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #412 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Independence Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 7.5
- MN avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Independence Elementary — Students at Independence Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 28 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: 7.1/10.
How Independence Elementary Compares
See how Independence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Monticello), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LIBERTY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 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 | 7.4 |
| SNW - Big Lake HS Transitions Big Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| BIG LAKE SENIOR HIGH Big Lake | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Big Lake Online K-5 Big Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| Big Lake Online 6-12 Big Lake | 0.3 mi | 3.4 |
| LIBERTY ELEMENTARY Big Lake | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Monticello Middle School - SNW Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| SNW Monti MS EBD Program Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| MONTICELLO MIDDLE Monticello | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Intensive DCD - SNW Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| Foundations II Monticello | 3.4 mi | — |
| 882 Online 6-12 Monticello | 3.4 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 7.9 |
| Monticello High School - SNW Monticello | 4.1 mi | — |
| SNW Monti HS EBD Program Monticello | 4.1 mi | — |
| MONTICELLO SENIOR HIGH Monticello | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia, MN | 7.4 |
| BLUE HERON ELEMENTARY Lino Lakes, MN | 7.4 |
| Champlin/Brooklyn Pk Acd MathEnvSci Champlin, MN | 7.4 |
| FOLEY ELEMENTARY Foley, MN | 7.4 |
| HAWLEY ELEMENTARY Hawley, MN | 7.4 |
| HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY Edina, MN | 7.4 |
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 ranks #412 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Independence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Independence Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.5%
- Phone
- (763) 262-2537
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
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