Below Average
#1764 of 1,986 schools in MN
Northern Elementary
Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bemidji
#13 of 17
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#882 of 962
In district
#9 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Northern Elementary
Northern Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Bemidji, Minnesota. Serving preschool through third grade, the school has an enrollment of 285 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 21 full-time equivalent teachers who work to provide a supportive learning environment for young learners.
Academically, Northern Elementary's performance is reflective of ongoing development. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranking at #1216 among Minnesota schools, there’s room for improvement in terms of state comparisons. In reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is higher at 65%.
These figures indicate areas where additional focus might be beneficial. Northern Elementary is situated in a rural area near Bemidji, offering its students a close-knit community feel with easy access to local resources and activities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northern 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Northern Elementary — Students at Northern Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
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 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: 2.4/10.
How Northern Elementary Compares
See how Northern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 6.4 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.6 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary MS Bemidji | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 3.6 mi | 3.5 |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 4.3 mi | 2.6 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 4.1 mi | — |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 4.7 mi | 6.9 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 4.7 mi | 6.3 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 4.7 mi | — |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 4.9 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 5.3 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 4.5 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 6.3 mi | 5.3 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 6.2 mi | 8.2 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern Elementary has a median household income of $69,782. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,400, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| PULLMAN ELEMENTARY Saint Paul Park, MN | 4.6 |
| RIVERSIDE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 4.6 |
| WASHBURN ELEMENTARY Bloomington, MN | 4.6 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeville, MN | 4.5 |
| Athlos Academy of Saint Cloud Saint Cloud, MN | 4.5 |
| CALVIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (DBA: AVAIL ACADEMY) Minneapolis, MN | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #1764 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Northern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Northern Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Elementary has 65.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,419/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bemidji). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 333-3260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,812
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
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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