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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,316

Kelliher Elementary — Students at Kelliher Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
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
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
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: 7.7/10.

How Kelliher Elementary Compares

See how Kelliher Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in MN
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (444/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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