Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1888 of 1,992 schools in MN

Olson Middle

Middle School · Minneapolis Public School District

1607 51ST AVE N, Minneapolis, MN 55430

Enrollment

308

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,888 of 1,992

In Minneapolis

#111 of 125

public schools

In district

#74 of 78

Minneapolis Public School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Olson Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Olson Middle

3.9/10

Middle School in Minneapolis · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kipp North Star Academy

3.5/10

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

Kipp North Star Primary

2.5/10

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

About Olson Middle

Olson Middle is a public middle school in Minneapolis, MN, part of Minneapolis Public School District. Olson Middle serves approximately 308 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Olson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,888 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Olson Middle show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.8
  • MN avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

90% of students at Olson Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,839
Chronic Absenteeism90.3%

Olson Middle — Students at Olson Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
34%
ELA
45%
2010
Math
23%
ELA
46%
2011
Math
25%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2013
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
20%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Olson Middle Compares

See how Olson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
5th percentile in MN
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
90.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1607 51ST AVE N, Minneapolis, MN 55430

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Olson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brooklyn Center Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn Center), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, KIPP North Star Academy (rated 3.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Minneapolis, see our Minneapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
KIPP North Star Academy Minneapolis 0.3 mi 3.5
KIPP North Star Primary Minneapolis 0.3 mi 2.5
Jenny Lind Elementary Minneapolis 0.4 mi 3.6
Henry High Minneapolis 0.9 mi 5.7
LORING ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 0.9 mi 3.9
Brooklyn Center Elementary School Brooklyn Center 1.1 mi 3.0
Early Childhood Special Education ( Brooklyn Center 1.1 mi
Brooklyn Center ECSE Age 3 - 5 Brooklyn Center 1.1 mi
INSIGHT SCHOOL OF MINNESOTA Brooklyn Center 1.2 mi 4.5
Brooklyn Center Early College Acad Brooklyn Center 1.2 mi 5.7
New Millennium Academy Charter Brooklyn Center 1.1 mi 3.9
SOJOURNER TRUTH ACADEMY Minneapolis 1.6 mi 3.9
NORTHPORT ELEMENTARY Brooklyn Center 1.3 mi 5.5
Brooklyn Center High School Brooklyn Center 1.9 mi 5.4
Brooklyn Center Middle School Brooklyn Center 1.9 mi 4.8
Progeny Academy Charter School Brooklyn Center 1.7 mi 7.0
Lucy Laney Elementary Minneapolis 2.2 mi 7.2
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Robbinsdale 1.7 mi 4.1
Cityview Elementary Minneapolis 2.3 mi 6.9
Hmong International Elementary Minneapolis 2.5 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55430 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,385

Median Home Value

$243,800

Median Rent

$1,370/mo

Population

22,569

College Educated

28.8%

Homeownership

67.6%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

34.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HOPE Community Academy Middle Saint Paul, MN 3.9
Sandburg Middle School Golden Valley, MN 4.0
Sibley East Middle School Arlington, MN 3.8
BELLE PLAINE JUNIOR HIGH Belle Plaine, MN 4.1
DOVER-EYOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Eyota, MN 3.7
KENYON-WANAMINGO MIDDLE Kenyon, MN 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Olson Middle

What grades does Olson Middle serve?

Olson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Olson Middle?

Olson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Olson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Olson Middle is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Olson Middle rank in MN?

Olson Middle ranks #1,888 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Olson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Olson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Olson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Olson Middle has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Olson Middle a charter school?

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

Is Olson Middle a Title I school?

No, Olson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Olson Middle?

82.5% of students at Olson Middle 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
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hennepin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
90.3%

District

Minneapolis Public School District
District Enrollment
29,063
Schools in District
98
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,839
District Rank
#74 of 78

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.