Below Average
#1688 of 1,986 schools in MN
Mountain Lake Elementary
Elementary School · MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
PO BOX 400, Mountain Lake, MN 56159
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mountain Lake
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#862 of 962
In district
#2 of 2
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mountain Lake Elementary
Mountain Lake Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 269 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Mountain Lake Elementary is rated 5.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it around the median among Minnesota schools based on its state ranking of #1023 out of 2027.
In terms of test scores, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 45% in Math, indicating areas for academic growth. Mountain Lake Elementary is situated in a remote rural setting where the school community plays an important role in supporting student development beyond just academics. The warm and close-knit environment helps create a nurturing atmosphere for young learners to grow and thrive.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mountain Lake 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
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Mountain Lake Elementary — Students at Mountain Lake Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.7%
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: 2.1/10.
How Mountain Lake Elementary Compares
See how Mountain Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 400, Mountain Lake, MN 56159
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mountain Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Windom Area Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Windom), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMFREY ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Springfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mountain Lake, see our Mountain Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| NEUHOF SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 3.0 mi | — |
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield | 6.8 mi | 8.7 |
| BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield | 6.8 mi | 4.7 |
| COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey | 11.6 mi | 9.0 |
| COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom | 10.5 mi | — |
| SWWC ELC - Windom Windom | 10.9 mi | 7.1 |
| SWWC ALC - Windom Windom | 10.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Windom Area Elementary Windom | 11.0 mi | 9.1 |
| WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom | 11.2 mi | 6.0 |
| WINDOM MIDDLE Windom | 11.2 mi | 4.7 |
| TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont | 16.1 mi | 7.5 |
| ST. JAMES EARLY CHILDHOOD Saint James | 15.0 mi | — |
| Armstrong School Saint James | 15.0 mi | 5.0 |
| SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY Springfield | 20.6 mi | 9.0 |
| SPRINGFIELD SECONDARY Springfield | 20.6 mi | 7.5 |
| ST RAPHAEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield | 20.8 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56159 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,089
Median Home Value
$135,200
Median Rent
$738/mo
Population
2,520
College Educated
23.7%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
13.3 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mountain Lake Elementary has a median household income of $65,089. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,200, with a median rent of $738/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| Appleton-Milan Elementary Appleton, MN | 4.9 |
| Kaleidoscope Charter Elementary Sch Otsego, MN | 4.9 |
| LAKE HARRIET LOWER ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN | 4.9 |
| Prairie Seeds El School Academy Brooklyn Park, MN | 4.9 |
| ST. PAUL CITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 4.9 |
| BETHUNE ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mountain Lake Elementary
What grades does Mountain Lake Elementary serve?
Mountain Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Mountain Lake Elementary?
Mountain Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 269 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Lake Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Lake Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mountain Lake Elementary rank in MN?
Mountain Lake Elementary is ranked #1688 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Mountain Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountain Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Mountain Lake Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mountain Lake Elementary has 45.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mountain Lake Elementary a charter school?
No, Mountain Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mountain Lake Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mountain Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mountain Lake Elementary?
61.7% of students at Mountain Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (570/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mountain Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 269
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cottonwood County
- Phone
- (507) 427-2325
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,998
- District Rank
- #2 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
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