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Excellent

#222 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 11% in state

Lancaster Elementary

Elementary School · LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

401 CENTRAL AVE S, Lancaster, MN 56735

Enrollment

121

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lancaster

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#203 of 962

In district

#1 of 2

LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Lancaster Elementary

Lancaster Elementary is a small rural school nestled in the heart of Lancaster, Minnesota. Serving preschool through sixth grade students, this elementary school offers a close-knit community where every child knows their teachers and classmates well. With an enrollment of 121 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to each learner's needs.

Academically, Lancaster Elementary has room for improvement but is working diligently to enhance its offerings. The MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 reflects the school’s commitment to student development, with a focus on both ELA and math proficiency. Currently, 54% of students are proficient in reading and 51% in math, indicating an area for growth but also showing potential for future success.

Lancaster Elementary is situated in a remote rural setting where community ties run deep. The school’s location fosters strong connections between families, teachers, and local businesses, creating a supportive environment that enriches the educational experience of its young students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 121 students, Lancaster 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, Lancaster 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 Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+20.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,011

Lancaster Elementary — Students at Lancaster Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
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
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Lancaster Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
89th percentile in MN
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

401 CENTRAL AVE S, Lancaster, MN 56735

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lancaster Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORTH BORDER-PEMBINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Pembina), a more accessible option. Another option is NEWFOLDEN ELEMENTARY (rated 6.0/10, 40.6 miles away, in nearby Newfolden), a more accessible option. Additionally, DRAYTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 26.7 miles away, in nearby Drayton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 40.6 mi
School Distance Rating
LANCASTER SECONDARY Lancaster 0.0 mi 6.1
KITTSON CENTRAL SECONDARY Hallock 8.4 mi 5.9
KITTSON CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Hallock 8.4 mi 5.5
KARLSTAD ELEMENTARY Karlstad 23.3 mi 4.5
TRI-COUNTY SECONDARY Karlstad 23.3 mi 7.8
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Karlstad 23.2 mi 7.3
STEPHEN SENIOR HIGH Stephen 28.2 mi 6.3
STERLING NORTH - PEMBINA CAMPUS Saint Vincent 20.8 mi 4.8
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL, NA Saint Vincent 20.8 mi 4.8
NORTH BORDER-PEMBINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pembina 21.7 mi 6.6
NORTH BORDER-PEMBINA HIGH SCHOOL Pembina 21.7 mi 6.4
DRAYTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Drayton 26.7 mi 5.8
DRAYTON HIGH SCHOOL Drayton 26.7 mi 4.6
MARSHALL COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH Newfolden 40.6 mi 7.0
NEWFOLDEN ELEMENTARY Newfolden 40.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56735 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,625

Median Home Value

$163,900

Median Rent

$792/mo

Population

658

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lancaster Elementary has a median household income of $66,625. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,900, with a median rent of $792/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Cambridge-Isanti STEAM School Isanti, MN 8.0
LAKE BENTON ELEMENTARY Lake Benton, MN 8.0
Onamia Primary School Onamia, MN 8.0
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL Saint Cloud, MN 8.0
ST ROSE OF LIMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Roseville, MN 8.0
ULEN-HITTERDAL ELEMENTARY Ulen, MN 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lancaster Elementary

What grades does Lancaster Elementary serve?

Lancaster Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Lancaster Elementary?

Lancaster Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lancaster Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Lancaster Elementary is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lancaster Elementary rank in MN?

Lancaster Elementary is ranked #222 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Lancaster Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Lancaster Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Lancaster Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lancaster Elementary has 51.2% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lancaster Elementary a charter school?

No, Lancaster Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lancaster Elementary a Title I school?

No, Lancaster Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lancaster Elementary?

62.8% of students at Lancaster 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Kittson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
202
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,790
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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