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
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Murdock Elementary — Students at Murdock Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.3%
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: 6.9/10.
How Murdock Elementary Compares
See how Murdock Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 54% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 55% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (320) 875-2441
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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