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Very Good

#304 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 15% in state

Nisswa Elementary

Elementary School · BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

5533 LAKERS LANE, Nisswa, MN 56468

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#304 of 1,992

In district

#2 of 11

BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Nisswa Elementary

7.7/10

Elementary School in Nisswa · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Eagle View Elementary

7.8/10

5.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pequot Lakes Senior High

5.7/10

5.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Nisswa Elementary

Nisswa Elementary is a public elementary school in Nisswa, MN, part of BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Nisswa Elementary serves approximately 255 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Nisswa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #304 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Nisswa Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Nisswa Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency70% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+17.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,608
Chronic Absenteeism9.4%

Nisswa Elementary — Students at Nisswa Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 78.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
67%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Nisswa Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in MN
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

Location

5533 LAKERS LANE, Nisswa, MN 56468

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nisswa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LOWELL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Brainerd), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Discovery Woods (rated 7.9/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Brainerd), with a very similar rating. Additionally, EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Pequot Lakes), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Nisswa, see our Nisswa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.5 mi
School Distance Rating
EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes 5.6 mi 7.8
PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes 5.7 mi 5.7
PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes 5.7 mi 5.7
LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter 11.8 mi 3.3
BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter 12.2 mi 6.0
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Brainerd 11.8 mi 5.8
Discovery Woods Brainerd 11.7 mi 7.9
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BRAINERD Brainerd 11.8 mi
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd 11.9 mi 5.3
LOWELL ELEMENTARY Brainerd 11.7 mi 8.6
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Brainerd 11.7 mi 5.5
BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH Brainerd 12.3 mi 6.4
LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER Brainerd 12.4 mi 5.1
FORESTVIEW MIDDLE Baxter 13.3 mi 7.2
BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter 13.3 mi 5.9
ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER Brainerd 12.2 mi 4.4
MIDDLE LEVEL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Brainerd 12.2 mi
HARRISON ELEMENTARY Brainerd 12.5 mi 5.6
OAK STREET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Brainerd 13.0 mi
Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake 13.5 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56468 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,698

Median Home Value

$437,000

Median Rent

$995/mo

Population

4,367

College Educated

42.4%

Homeownership

94.7%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

54

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CLEVELAND ELEMENTARY Fergus Falls, MN 7.7
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset, MN 7.7
St. Paul School of Northern Lights Saint Paul, MN 7.7
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Hibbing, MN 7.7
AMOS AND CELIA HEILICHER MINNEAPOLIS JEWISH DAY SC Minneapolis, MN 7.8
KENWOOD ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nisswa Elementary

What grades does Nisswa Elementary serve?

Nisswa Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Nisswa Elementary?

Nisswa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nisswa Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Nisswa Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nisswa Elementary rank in MN?

Nisswa Elementary ranks #304 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Nisswa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Nisswa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Nisswa Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nisswa Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Nisswa Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Nisswa Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

29.8% of students at Nisswa 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Crow Wing County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

District

BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
6,134
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,608
District Rank
#2 of 11

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