Very Good
#244 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 12% in state
Northwinds Elementary
Elementary School · Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
1111 7TH AVE NW, Buffalo, MN 55313
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#1 of 9
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#220 of 962
In district
#1 of 9
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwinds Elementary
Northwinds Elementary serves 408 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Buffalo, Minnesota, delivering strong academic performance that places it among the state's top schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 and 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides solid individual attention for its young learners. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 87th out of 2,027 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile.
Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 67% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 71% achieve proficiency in Mathematics across all grade levels. Northwinds Elementary serves families in a stable, middle-class community where the median household income reaches $88,893 and home values average $295,100. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 5.9%, and 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education.
Located on 7th Avenue Northwest, Northwinds Elementary sits in Buffalo, a growing town on the fringe of the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Wright County, offering families the benefits of small-town community feel while maintaining access to urban amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Northwinds Elementary — Students at Northwinds Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
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: 7.7/10.
How Northwinds Elementary Compares
See how Northwinds Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 71% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
1111 7TH AVE NW, Buffalo, MN 55313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwinds Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Maple Lake), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO COMMUNITY MIDDLE Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| DISCOVERY ELEMENTARY Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| BUFFALO EARLY CHILD. SP. ED PROGRAM Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| WRIGHT TECHNICAL CENTER ALC Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| WRIGHT TECHNICAL CENTER ALC MIDDLE Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| Eastern Wright Program Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| CORNERSTONES PROGRAM Buffalo | 1.1 mi | — |
| PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Terra Nova School Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Tatanka Elementary STEM School Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| SWMetro Buffalo-Transitions Shakopee | 1.4 mi | — |
| BUFFALO SENIOR HIGH Buffalo | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| PHOENIX LEARNING CENTER Buffalo | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Monticello Nature Based Education Monticello | 7.8 mi | 4.1 |
| MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Maple Lake | 6.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ST TIMOTHYS PARISH SCHOOL Maple Lake | 6.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Montrose Elementary School of Innov Montrose | 8.1 mi | 5.4 |
| MAPLE LAKE SECONDARY Maple Lake | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| SWMetro Lakeside Academy Shakopee | 7.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,471
Median Home Value
$321,000
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Population
24,862
College Educated
30.9%
Homeownership
81.5%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwinds Elementary has a median household income of $93,471. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $321,000, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| BREAKAWAY ACADEMY Chaska, MN | 7.9 |
| Brookview Elementary Woodbury, MN | 7.9 |
| CONGDON ELEMENTARY Duluth, MN | 7.9 |
| EAGLE VIEW Elko New Market, MN | 7.9 |
| GOLDEN LAKE ELEMENTARY Circle Pines, MN | 7.9 |
| HIDDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Savage, MN | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwinds Elementary
What grades does Northwinds Elementary serve?
Northwinds Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Northwinds Elementary?
Northwinds Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwinds Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwinds Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwinds Elementary rank in MN?
Northwinds Elementary is ranked #244 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Northwinds Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwinds Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Northwinds Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwinds Elementary has 73.0% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwinds Elementary a charter school?
No, Northwinds Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwinds Elementary a Title I school?
No, Northwinds Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwinds Elementary?
28.2% of students at Northwinds 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 408
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Wright County
- Phone
- (763) 682-8800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,282
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,682
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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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