Average
#783 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 39% in state
Northern Elementary
Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#783 of 1,992
In Bemidji
#4 of 17
public schools
In district
#3 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Northern Elementary
Elementary School in Bemidji · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Voyageurs Expeditionary School
3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Voyageurs Expeditionary MS
3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northern Elementary
Northern Elementary is a public elementary school in Bemidji, MN, part of BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Northern Elementary serves approximately 285 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #783 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Northern Elementary show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- MN avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Northern 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northern Elementary — Students at Northern Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 6.2/10.
How Northern Elementary Compares
See how Northern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 7.7/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 6.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bemidji, see our Bemidji schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 3.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 3.6 mi | 3.5 |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 2.8 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 4.1 mi | — |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 4.7 mi | — |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 4.9 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 5.3 mi | 5.9 |
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 5.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 5.6 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 5.8 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 6.3 mi | 5.1 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 6.2 mi | 8.3 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,782
Median Home Value
$242,400
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
Population
34,700
College Educated
37.8%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
36
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Crookston, MN | 6.6 |
| L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion Saint Paul, MN | 6.6 |
| RICE ELEMENTARY Rice, MN | 6.6 |
| ROCHESTER CENTRAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rochester, MN | 6.6 |
| ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove, MN | 6.5 |
| ASHBY ELEMENTARY Ashby, MN | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northern Elementary
What grades does Northern Elementary serve?
Northern Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend Northern Elementary?
Northern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northern Elementary rank in MN?
Northern Elementary ranks #783 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Northern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Northern Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Elementary has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Northern Elementary a charter school?
No, Northern Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northern Elementary a Title I school?
No, Northern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Elementary?
36.8% of students at Northern 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 285
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Beltrami County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.3%
- Phone
- (218) 333-3260
Resources & Links
District
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,812
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #3 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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