Below Average
#1803 of 1,986 schools in MN
Karlstad Elementary
Elementary School · TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 178, Karlstad, MN 56732
Enrollment
93
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
93
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Karlstad
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#896 of 962
In district
#2 of 2
TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Karlstad Elementary
Karlstad Elementary is a small rural public school located in Karlstad, Minnesota, nestled in the remote countryside of Kittson County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school's intimate setting fosters strong connections between teachers and students. With an enrollment of 93 students, each child receives personalized attention in classes with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1.
The dedicated staff consists of eight full-time equivalent educators who are committed to nurturing young minds. Academically, Karlstad Elementary has room for growth, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and state ranking of #1578 among 2027 schools in Minnesota (placing it at the 22nd percentile). Students show proficiency rates of 50% or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math, indicating a solid foundation in core subjects.
While the school's academic performance is not yet where it could be, there are clear signs that ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes are underway. Karlstad Elementary is situated in a quiet rural area with a tight-knit community, offering students a supportive and nurturing environment for their formative years.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 93 students, Karlstad Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Karlstad Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Karlstad Elementary — Students at Karlstad Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
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: 1.6/10.
How Karlstad Elementary Compares
See how Karlstad Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 178, Karlstad, MN 56732
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Karlstad Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ARGYLE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Argyle), which scores notably higher. Another option is LANCASTER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GREENBUSH ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Greenbush), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Karlstad, see our Karlstad schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 36.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRI-COUNTY SECONDARY Karlstad | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Karlstad | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MARSHALL COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH Newfolden | 17.3 mi | 7.0 |
| NEWFOLDEN ELEMENTARY Newfolden | 17.4 mi | 6.0 |
| GREENBUSH ELEMENTARY Greenbush | 17.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Greenbush-Middle River Secondary Greenbush | 17.7 mi | 5.2 |
| VIKING ELEMENTARY Viking | 25.0 mi | 7.1 |
| STEPHEN SENIOR HIGH Stephen | 18.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ARGYLE ELEMENTARY Argyle | 21.6 mi | 8.5 |
| LANCASTER ELEMENTARY Lancaster | 23.3 mi | 8.0 |
| LANCASTER SECONDARY Lancaster | 23.3 mi | 6.1 |
| WARREN ELEMENTARY Warren | 28.4 mi | 5.2 |
| WARREN-ALVARADO-OSLO SECONDARY Warren | 28.5 mi | 6.4 |
| KITTSON CENTRAL SECONDARY Hallock | 24.0 mi | 5.9 |
| KITTSON CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Hallock | 24.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL Thief River Falls | 35.2 mi | 6.6 |
| LINCOLN SENIOR HIGH Thief River Falls | 35.3 mi | 5.0 |
| NORTHWEST AREA LEARNING CENTER Thief River Falls | 35.5 mi | — |
| FRANKLIN MIDDLE Thief River Falls | 35.9 mi | 3.7 |
| CHALLENGER ELEMENTARY Thief River Falls | 36.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56732 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,841
Median Home Value
$150,700
Median Rent
$650/mo
Population
978
College Educated
29.4%
Homeownership
79.3%
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Karlstad Elementary has a median household income of $67,841. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,700, with a median rent of $650/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COTTER SCHOOLS-ST. MARYS CAMPUS Winona, MN | 4.5 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lewiston, MN | 4.5 |
| Innovation Sci & Tech Elementary Eagan, MN | 4.5 |
| ROCKVILLE ELEMENTARY Rockville, MN | 4.5 |
| ST JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lewiston, MN | 4.5 |
| BABBITT ELEMENTARY Babbitt, MN | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Karlstad Elementary
What grades does Karlstad Elementary serve?
Karlstad Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Karlstad Elementary?
Karlstad Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 93 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Karlstad Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Karlstad Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Karlstad Elementary rank in MN?
Karlstad Elementary is ranked #1803 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Karlstad Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Karlstad Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Karlstad Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Karlstad Elementary has 49.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Karlstad Elementary a charter school?
No, Karlstad Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Karlstad Elementary a Title I school?
No, Karlstad Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Karlstad Elementary?
53.8% of students at Karlstad 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 93
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Kittson County
- Phone
- (218) 436-2374
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 176
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,974
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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