Excellent
#164 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 8% 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
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#164 of 1,992
In Buffalo
#1 of 9
public schools
In district
#1 of 9
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Northwinds Elementary
Elementary School in Buffalo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buffalo Community Middle
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Discovery Elementary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwinds Elementary
Northwinds Elementary is a public elementary school in Buffalo, MN, part of Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools. Northwinds Elementary serves approximately 408 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwinds Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #164 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Northwinds Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 6.7
- MN avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwinds Elementary — Students at Northwinds Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Northwinds Elementary Compares
See how Northwinds Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Maple Lake), a more accessible option. Additionally, Montrose Elementary School of Innov (rated 6.3/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Montrose), 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 | 6.5 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
| Terra Nova School Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Tatanka Elementary STEM School Buffalo | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| SWMetro Buffalo-Transitions Shakopee | 1.4 mi | — |
| BUFFALO SENIOR HIGH Buffalo | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| PHOENIX LEARNING CENTER Buffalo | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Monticello Nature Based Education Monticello | 7.8 mi | 4.0 |
| MAPLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Maple Lake | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ST TIMOTHYS PARISH SCHOOL Maple Lake | 6.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Montrose Elementary School of Innov Montrose | 8.1 mi | 6.3 |
| MAPLE LAKE SECONDARY Maple Lake | 6.3 mi | 7.0 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FAIR OAKS ELEMENTARY Brooklyn Park, MN | 8.2 |
| HOLDINGFORD ELEMENTARY Holdingford, MN | 8.2 |
| Hutchinson Tiger Elementary Hutchinson, MN | 8.2 |
| Longfellow 45-15 Districtwide Elem Rochester, MN | 8.2 |
| MELROSE ELEMENTARY Melrose, MN | 8.2 |
| OTSEGO ELEMENTARY Otsego, MN | 8.2 |
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 ranks #164 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Northwinds Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwinds Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Northwinds Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwinds Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.4%
- Phone
- (763) 682-8800
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
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