Very Good
#415 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 21% in state
Kelliher Elementary
Elementary School · KELLIHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOX 259, Kelliher, MN 56650
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kelliher
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#337 of 962
In district
#1 of 2
KELLIHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Kelliher Elementary
Kelliher Elementary, nestled in the remote rural community of Kelliher, Minnesota, is a public elementary school serving preschool through sixth grade students. With an enrollment of 169 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes and individualized attention for each child. The dedicated staff includes 11 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support the academic and social development of their young learners.
Kelliher Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.1 out of 10, placing it in the 65th percentile among Minnesota schools with a state ranking of #703 out of 2027. The school's academic score is 4.7/10, indicating there is room for growth and improvement in student performance. Currently, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Despite the challenges faced by many rural schools, Kelliher Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that nurtures both academic skills and social well-being. The school's setting offers a close-knit community feel where students can grow and thrive together. Located in this serene rural area, Kelliher Elementary is a cornerstone of the local educational landscape, providing a nurturing space for young minds to explore and learn.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 169 students, Kelliher 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, Kelliher 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 metricsView breakdown
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Kelliher Elementary — Students at Kelliher Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58%
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: 7.7/10.
How Kelliher Elementary Compares
See how Kelliher Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
BOX 259, Kelliher, MN 56650
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kelliher Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 36.3 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores slightly higher. Another option is NORTHOME ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Northome), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 37.8 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kelliher, see our Kelliher schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 38.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KELLIHER SECONDARY Kelliher | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTHOME SECONDARY Northome | 10.7 mi | 5.2 |
| NORTHOME ELEMENTARY Northome | 10.7 mi | 7.7 |
| BLACKDUCK ELEMENTARY Blackduck | 15.4 mi | 5.7 |
| BLACKDUCK SECONDARY Blackduck | 15.4 mi | 5.2 |
| PONEMAH ELEMENTARY Ponemah | 21.9 mi | 5.3 |
| NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 33.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 36.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 36.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 36.3 mi | 8.3 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 37.8 mi | 7.5 |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 37.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 38.1 mi | 4.8 |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 37.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 37.6 mi | 2.6 |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 37.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 38.2 mi | — |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 38.2 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 38.1 mi | 6.3 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 38.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,750
Median Home Value
$183,900
Median Rent
$575/mo
Population
932
College Educated
29.2%
Homeownership
91.6%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
49.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kelliher Elementary has a median household income of $78,750. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,900, with a median rent of $575/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek, MN | 7.5 |
| PRESENTATION OF MARY SCHOOL Maplewood, MN | 7.5 |
| RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond, MN | 7.5 |
| SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Grand Marais, MN | 7.5 |
| Swan River Montessori Charter Sch Monticello, MN | 7.5 |
| TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont, MN | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kelliher Elementary
What grades does Kelliher Elementary serve?
Kelliher Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Kelliher Elementary?
Kelliher Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kelliher Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Kelliher Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kelliher Elementary rank in MN?
Kelliher Elementary is ranked #415 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Kelliher Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Kelliher Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Kelliher Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kelliher Elementary has 38.7% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kelliher Elementary a charter school?
No, Kelliher Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kelliher Elementary a Title I school?
No, Kelliher Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kelliher Elementary?
58.0% of students at Kelliher 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 169
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Beltrami County
- Phone
- (218) 647-8286
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KELLIHER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 328
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,699
- District Rank
- #1 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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