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Very Good

#465 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 23% in state

Murdock Elementary

Elementary School · KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG

BOX 46 408 HOLLIS, Murdock, MN 56271

Enrollment

402

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota elementary schools

#365 of 962

In district

#1 of 2

KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Murdock Elementary

Murdock Elementary serves 402 students in grades PK through 6 in the small rural community of Murdock, Minnesota. This Swift County elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #477 out of 2027 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 76th percentile among Minnesota schools.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 55% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 54% achieve proficiency in Mathematics. Murdock Elementary draws students from a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $67,321 and median home values average $177,500. The surrounding area has a population of 1,322 residents, with 20% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.1%, reflecting the working-class character typical of many rural Minnesota communities.

Located in Swift County's remote rural landscape, Murdock Elementary serves as an educational cornerstone for families seeking a small-school environment where students can receive individualized attention while building strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Murdock 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 Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,161

Murdock Elementary — Students at Murdock Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
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
60%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
54%
ELA
55%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Murdock Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in MN
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

BOX 46 408 HOLLIS, Murdock, MN 56271

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Murdock Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MACCRAY Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Clara City), with a very similar rating. Another option is KENNEDY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Willmar), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Brooten), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Murdock, see our Murdock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.3 mi
School Distance Rating
KERKHOVEN SECONDARY Kerkhoven 4.0 mi 3.1
Heartland Girls Ranch Benson 11.5 mi
BENSON SECONDARY Benson 11.9 mi 6.2
BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER Benson 11.9 mi
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Benson 12.2 mi 6.4
MACCRAY Secondary Clara City 18.6 mi 5.5
MACCRAY Elementary Clara City 18.6 mi 7.5
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Willmar 17.9 mi 4.9
JEFFERSON LEARNING CENTER Willmar 18.0 mi 7.2
CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Prinsburg 22.4 mi 6.9
WILLMAR AREA LEARNING CENTER Willmar 18.1 mi 7.1
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Willmar 18.3 mi 7.8
KENNEDY ELEMENTARY Willmar 18.3 mi 7.3
LAKEVIEW SCHOOL Willmar 18.4 mi
WILLMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Willmar 18.9 mi 6.2
Middle School ALC Willmar 18.9 mi
BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA ELEMENTARY Brooten 22.9 mi 6.8
SWWC ELC - Willmar Willmar 19.1 mi
DREAM Technical Academy Willmar 19.1 mi 5.5
Prairie Lakes Education Center Willmar 19.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56271 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,395

Median Home Value

$206,600

Median Rent

$1,015/mo

Population

1,309

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

18.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Murdock Elementary has a median household income of $70,395. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,600, with a median rent of $1,015/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
BRYN MAWR ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN 7.4
Bear Cave Intermediate School Stewartville, MN 7.4
EPIPHANY SCHOOL Coon Rapids, MN 7.4
FALLS ELEMENTARY International Falls, MN 7.4
FOREST ELEMENTARY Crystal, MN 7.4
KIMBERLY LANE ELEMENTARY Plymouth, MN 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Murdock Elementary

What grades does Murdock Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Murdock Elementary?

Murdock Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 402 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Murdock Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Murdock 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 Murdock Elementary rank in MN?

Murdock Elementary is ranked #465 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Murdock Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Murdock Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Murdock Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murdock Elementary has 55.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Murdock Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Murdock Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

43.3% of students at Murdock 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (20/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Swift County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG
District Enrollment
797
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,544
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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