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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

Charter

Enrollment

98

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,140

Nerstrand Charter School — Students at Nerstrand Charter School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
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
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in MN
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (59/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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