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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,020

Karlstad Elementary — Students at Karlstad Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.5/10
9th percentile in MN
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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