Average
#724 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 36% in state
J.w. Smith Elementary
Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bemidji
#7 of 17
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#481 of 962
In district
#4 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About J.w. Smith Elementary
J.W. Smith Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Bemidji, Minnesota, at 502 Minnesota Ave NW. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through third grade and has an enrollment of 258 students.
With a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, J.W. Smith Elementary ensures that each child receives personalized attention and support. The academic performance of the school is rated at 4.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 60th percentile among Minnesota schools.
In terms of proficiency rates, 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while a slightly higher percentage—51%—are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth and improvement. J.W.
Smith Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where young children can develop foundational skills and confidence. The school's setting in Bemidji provides students with opportunities to explore the local community and engage in outdoor activities, enhancing their overall educational experience.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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J.w. Smith Elementary — Students at J.w. Smith Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.7%
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: 6.0/10.
How J.w. Smith Elementary Compares
See how J.w. Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
Location
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J.w. Smith Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bemidji, see our Bemidji schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 0.9 mi | — |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 0.9 mi | 2.6 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 1.0 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 1.4 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 2.5 mi | — |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
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 J.w. Smith 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 |
|---|---|
| Anishinabe Academy Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 6.9 |
| BIRCH LAKE ELEMENTARY White Bear Lake, MN | 6.9 |
| BRECKENRIDGE ELEMENTARY Breckenridge, MN | 6.9 |
| CARONDELET CATHOLIC Minneapolis, MN | 6.9 |
| CLEARBROOK-GONVICK ELEMENTARY Clearbrook, MN | 6.9 |
| Cityview Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J.w. Smith Elementary
What grades does J.w. Smith Elementary serve?
J.w. Smith Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend J.w. Smith Elementary?
J.w. Smith Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 258 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J.w. Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J.w. Smith Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J.w. Smith Elementary rank in MN?
J.w. Smith Elementary is ranked #724 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is J.w. Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J.w. Smith Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 J.w. Smith Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J.w. Smith Elementary has 51.2% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J.w. Smith Elementary a charter school?
No, J.w. Smith Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J.w. Smith Elementary a Title I school?
No, J.w. Smith Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J.w. Smith Elementary?
83.7% of students at J.w. Smith 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
- 258
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Beltrami County
- Phone
- (218) 333-3290
- 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
- #4 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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