Very Good
#449 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 23% in state
Nerstrand Charter School
Elementary School · NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL
PO BOX 156, Nerstrand, MN 55053
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota elementary schools
#356 of 962
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Nerstrand Charter School
NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL is a charming elementary school nestled in the rural community of Nerstrand, Minnesota. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, this charter school boasts an enrollment of 98 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers. The school focuses on providing a personalized learning environment where each child can thrive.
Academically, NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL is in the 58th percentile among Minnesota schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 6.4 out of 10. In reading and ELA, around half of the students are proficient or above, while in math, nearly 60% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas for growth but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.
Nerstrand is a peaceful rural setting where community ties run strong, offering students an idyllic backdrop for their early education years.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 98 students, Nerstrand Charter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Nerstrand Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Nerstrand Charter School 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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Nerstrand Charter School — Students at Nerstrand Charter School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
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: 8.1/10.
How Nerstrand Charter School Compares
See how Nerstrand Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 156, Nerstrand, MN 55053
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nerstrand Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GREENVALE PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.9/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Northfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is BRIDGEWATER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Northfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spring Creek Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Northfield), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nerstrand, see our Nerstrand schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KENYON-WANAMINGO SENIOR HIGH Kenyon | 6.3 mi | 5.0 |
| KENYON-WANAMINGO MIDDLE Kenyon | 6.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Spring Creek Elementary Northfield | 8.4 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHFIELD MIDDLE Northfield | 8.1 mi | 6.2 |
| BRIDGEWATER ELEMENTARY Northfield | 8.4 mi | 8.2 |
| NORTHFIELD SENIOR HIGH Northfield | 8.7 mi | 7.5 |
| ARCADIA CHARTER SCHOOL Northfield | 9.0 mi | 6.5 |
| ST DOMINIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Northfield | 9.7 mi | 6.8 |
| NORTHFIELD AREA LEARNING CENTER Northfield | 9.6 mi | 5.3 |
| NORTHFIELD MONTESSORI Northfield | 10.0 mi | — |
| GREENVALE PARK ELEMENTARY Northfield | 10.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Northfield Community Education Cntr Northfield | 10.3 mi | 7.6 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Faribault | 9.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Discovery Public School - Faribault Faribault | 9.7 mi | 5.8 |
| RANDOLPH ELEMENTARY Randolph | 13.1 mi | 6.6 |
| RANDOLPH SECONDARY Randolph | 13.1 mi | 4.3 |
| SHATTUCK-ST. MARYS SCHOOL Faribault | 9.7 mi | 9.5 |
| MN ACADEMY FOR THE DEAF Faribault | 9.9 mi | 7.7 |
| CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL Faribault | 9.9 mi | 4.0 |
| MN ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND Faribault | 10.1 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55053 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,188
Median Home Value
$338,100
Median Rent
$1,275/mo
Population
995
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
94.7%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nerstrand Charter School has a median household income of $107,188. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,100, with a median rent of $1,275/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Marine Area Community School Stillwater, MN | 7.4 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Morris, MN | 7.4 |
| THE WAY OF THE SHEPHERD CATHOLIC MONTESSORI Blaine, MN | 7.4 |
| Notre Ecole Academy Golden Valley, MN | 7.5 |
| PRESENTATION OF MARY SCHOOL Maplewood, MN | 7.5 |
| RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond, MN | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nerstrand Charter School
What grades does Nerstrand Charter School serve?
Nerstrand Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Nerstrand Charter School?
Nerstrand Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nerstrand Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nerstrand Charter School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nerstrand Charter School rank in MN?
Nerstrand Charter School is ranked #449 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Nerstrand Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nerstrand Charter School 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 Nerstrand Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nerstrand Charter School has 58.7% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nerstrand Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Nerstrand Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Nerstrand Charter School a Title I school?
No, Nerstrand Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nerstrand Charter School?
28.6% of students at Nerstrand Charter School 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 98
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Rice County
- Phone
- (507) 333-6850
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL- District Enrollment
- 98
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,921
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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