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
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Magelssen Elementary — Students at Magelssen Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57%
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: 6.6/10.
How Magelssen Elementary Compares
See how Magelssen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (218) 435-6036
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.