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Very Good

#325 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 16% in state

Magelssen Elementary

Elementary School · FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

700 1ST ST E, Fosston, MN 56542

Enrollment

344

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fosston

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#276 of 962

In district

#1 of 2

FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Magelssen Elementary

Magelssen Elementary serves 344 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Fosston, Minnesota, ranking impressively at #190 out of 2,027 elementary schools statewide. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 and 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that contributes to its strong 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 57% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These results place Magelssen Elementary in the 91st percentile among Minnesota schools, reflecting the dedication of both educators and families in this close-knit community. Located in Polk County's remote rural setting, the school serves a neighborhood where the median household income is $54,205 and median home value is $164,100. About 24% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.8% of families face economic challenges.

Despite these varied circumstances, Magelssen Elementary maintains its commitment to providing quality education for all students. The school sits in the heart of Fosston, a small community of approximately 2,434 residents, where rural values and educational excellence combine to create a supportive learning environment for young scholars.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Magelssen 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 Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+22.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,761

Magelssen Elementary — Students at Magelssen Elementary score 60% 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

57%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
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
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Magelssen Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
84th percentile in MN
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

700 1ST ST E, Fosston, MN 56542

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Magelssen Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WIN-E-MAC ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Erskine), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Mahnomen), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CLEARBROOK-GONVICK ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Clearbrook), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fosston, see our Fosston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.0 mi
School Distance Rating
FOSSTON SECONDARY Fosston 0.3 mi 7.6
WIN-E-MAC ELEMENTARY Erskine 12.9 mi 8.2
WIN-E-MAC SECONDARY Erskine 12.9 mi 4.9
RLCC Elementary at Oklee Oklee 19.1 mi
Red Lake County Central High School Oklee 19.1 mi 7.8
BAGLEY ALP Bagley 15.4 mi
NAYTAHWAUSH COMMUNITY SCHOOL Naytahwaush 22.2 mi 6.8
CLEARBROOK-GONVICK ELEMENTARY Clearbrook 17.0 mi 6.9
CLEARBROOK-GONVICK SECONDARY Clearbrook 17.0 mi 5.1
BAGLEY ELEMENTARY Bagley 16.3 mi 4.2
MAHNOMEN SECONDARY Mahnomen 20.9 mi 5.4
MAHNOMEN AREA LEARNING CENTER Mahnomen 20.9 mi 5.8
MAHNOMEN ELEMENTARY Mahnomen 20.9 mi 5.9
ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Mahnomen 21.0 mi 7.0
BAGLEY SECONDARY Bagley 16.4 mi 2.5
F.H.L. ACADEMY Bagley 16.9 mi 7.1
WAUBUN ELEMENTARY Waubun 28.6 mi 8.0
WAUBUN SECONDARY Waubun 28.6 mi 4.8
Waubun ALC Waubun 28.6 mi 6.0
Red Lake County Central Elementary Plummer 27.0 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,750

Median Home Value

$176,800

Median Rent

$800/mo

Population

2,435

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

16.1 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

45

Community Profile

The community surrounding Magelssen Elementary has a median household income of $57,750. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,800, with a median rent of $800/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
CHATFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chatfield, MN 7.7
CROOKED LAKE ELEMENTARY Andover, MN 7.7
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION New Hope, MN 7.7
HILLTOP PRIMARY SCHOOL Minnetrista, MN 7.7
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Alexandria, MN 7.7
MERRITT ELEMENTARY Mountain Iron, MN 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Magelssen Elementary

What grades does Magelssen Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Magelssen Elementary?

Magelssen Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 344 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Magelssen Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Magelssen Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Magelssen Elementary rank in MN?

Magelssen Elementary is ranked #325 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Magelssen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Magelssen Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Magelssen Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Magelssen Elementary has 60.3% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Magelssen Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Magelssen Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

57.0% of students at Magelssen 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,924/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fosston). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

FOSSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
618
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,098
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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