Below Average
#1714 of 1,992 schools in MN
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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,714 of 1,992
In Bemidji
#16 of 17
public schools
In district
#11 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Very Good
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J.w. Smith Elementary
Elementary School in Bemidji · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Philip's School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lakeside Learning Center
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About J.w. Smith Elementary
J.w. Smith Elementary is a public elementary school in Bemidji, MN, part of BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. J.w.
Smith Elementary serves approximately 258 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. J.w. Smith Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,714 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for J.w. Smith Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 6.1
- MN avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at J.w. Smith Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
J.w. Smith Elementary — Students at J.w. Smith Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
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 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: 2.4/10.
How J.w. Smith Elementary Compares
See how J.w. Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.7 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 0.9 mi | 2.8 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 1.0 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 1.4 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 2.5 mi | — |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Appleton-Milan Elementary Appleton, MN | 4.6 |
| EDWARD NEILL ELEMENTARY Burnsville, MN | 4.6 |
| HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 4.6 |
| PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 4.6 |
| Riverview Spanish/English Dual Imme Saint Paul, MN | 4.6 |
| VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale, MN | 4.6 |
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 ranks #1,714 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is J.w. Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J.w. Smith Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 J.w. Smith Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, J.w. Smith Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.8%
- Phone
- (218) 333-3290
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
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