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Needs Improvement

#1982 of 1,992 schools in MN

Life Prep

Elementary School · LIFE PREP

930 GERANIUM AVE. E., Saint Paul, MN 55106

Charter

Enrollment

148

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

2.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,982 of 1,992

In Saint Paul

#122 of 125

public schools

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Life Prep

2.6/10

Elementary School in Saint Paul · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Txuj Ci Hmong Language & Culture Lo

7.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Face to Face Academy

6.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Life Prep

Life Prep is a public elementary school in Saint Paul, MN, part of LIFE PREP. Life Prep serves approximately 148 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Life Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,982 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Life Prep show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.8 pts below MN schools
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 148 students, Life Prep is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Life Prep is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

61% of students at Life Prep were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,931
Chronic Absenteeism60.8%

Life Prep — Students at Life Prep score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Life Prep Compares

See how Life Prep performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.6/10
1th percentile in MN
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.8%

Location

930 GERANIUM AVE. E., Saint Paul, MN 55106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Life Prep may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo (rated 7.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOPE Community Academy Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saint Paul, see our Saint Paul schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo Saint Paul 0.2 mi 7.2
FACE TO FACE ACADEMY Saint Paul 0.2 mi 6.3
Face to Face Academy Online Saint Paul 0.2 mi
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE LOWER Saint Paul 0.4 mi 4.2
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE UPPER Saint Paul 0.4 mi 5.2
JOHNSON SENIOR HIGH Saint Paul 0.5 mi 6.5
LEAP HIGH SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.3
Saint Paul Online High School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 2.7
Saint Paul Online Middle School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 5.2
Saint Paul Online Elementary School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.5
STEP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.4
STEP Academy Elementary Saint Paul 1.1 mi 4.2
CITY ACADEMY Saint Paul 0.8 mi 7.1
HOPE Community Academy Elementary Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.6
HOPE Community Academy Middle Saint Paul 1.1 mi 3.9
HOPE Community Academy High School Saint Paul 1.1 mi 4.2
Community of Peace Academy Elem Saint Paul 0.9 mi 3.9
Community of Peace Academy High Sch Saint Paul 0.9 mi 6.1
Community of Peace Academy Middle Saint Paul 0.9 mi 3.2
AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL Saint Paul 1.3 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,601

Median Home Value

$233,000

Median Rent

$1,230/mo

Population

56,969

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

60.3%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

32.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
KIPP North Star Primary Minneapolis, MN 2.5
Minnesota Transitions Charter Elem Minneapolis, MN 2.4
CROSSROADS MONTESSORI Saint Paul, MN 3.0
The Journey School Saint Paul, MN 2.2
AFSA Elementary Little Canada, MN 3.4
North Metro Flex Academy North Saint Paul, MN 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Life Prep

What grades does Life Prep serve?

Life Prep serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Life Prep?

Life Prep has an enrollment of approximately 148 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Life Prep?

The student-teacher ratio at Life Prep is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Life Prep rank in MN?

Life Prep ranks #1,982 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Life Prep's MySchoolScout rating?

Life Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Life Prep?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Life Prep has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Life Prep a charter school?

Yes, Life Prep is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Life Prep a Title I school?

No, Life Prep is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Life Prep?

84.5% of students at Life Prep 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
81 Very Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Ramsey County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.8%

District

LIFE PREP
District Enrollment
148
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,931
District Rank
#1 of 1

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