Very Good
#412 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 21% in state
Independence Elementary
Elementary School · Big Lake Public School District · Big Lake, MN
A Big Lake Public School District elementary school where students score 10 points above what's typical for similar communities.
701 MINNESOTA AVE, Big Lake, MN 55309
- Math 59% proficient (2022)
- Reading 55% proficient (2022)
- 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Independence Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MN average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 11 points since 2019, to 57% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 67% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 64% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
38.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Independence Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Minneapolis map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 49Car-Dependent
- Bike 45Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Average473/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Big Lake), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$118,387
Median home value
$335,500
Median rent
$1,463/mo
College educated
31.2%
Homeownership
91.1%
Poverty rate
3.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 55309; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lake Online K-5Enrollment path unverified | Not rated | K–5 | 0.3 mi | 24 | Compare → |
| Intensive Dcd - SnwEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 4–12 | 3.4 mi | 5 | Compare → |
| Swan River Montessori Charter SchCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.4 | K–6 | 4.0 mi | 162 | Compare → |
| Pinewood ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 8.4 | 1–5 | 4.1 mi | 790 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Big Lake Public School District
- Schools in district
- 6
- Rank in district
- #2 of 5
- District spending per student
- $13,268NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 4.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Independence Elementary is listed in BIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Independence Elementary
Independence Elementary is a public elementary school in Big Lake, MN, part of Big Lake Public School District, serving approximately 694 students in grades 3rd-5th with a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #412 of 1,992 schools in MN. State assessment records show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 694
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Sherburne County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.5%
- Phone
- (763) 262-2537
- Area population (ZIP 55309)
- 21,406
- Area average commute
- 32.9 min
- Area median age
- 36.3
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 55309; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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