Skip to main content

Average

#1459 of 1,986 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

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Minneapolis

#95 of 125

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#148 of 280

In district

#66 of 78

Minneapolis Public School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Olson Middle

OLSON MIDDLE is a regular public middle school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 308 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, ensuring that each teacher can provide individualized attention to their students. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, OLSON MIDDLE aims to support its diverse population in various academic and extracurricular programs.

The school's MySchoolScout Rating is currently at 4.2 out of 10, with a state ranking of #1606 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (21st percentile). Academically, OLSON MIDDLE scores an average of 1.4/10, indicating areas where the school focuses on improvement and growth. In reading and ELA, 23% of students are proficient or above, while only 10% meet proficiency standards in math.

Despite these challenges, OLSON MIDDLE continues to work towards enhancing its academic performance and student development. The school is situated in a bustling city environment that offers opportunities for students to engage with their community through various activities and events. OLSON MIDDLE is part of the larger Minneapolis educational landscape, where it plays an important role in providing middle school education within a vibrant urban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20%
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,154

Olson Middle — Students at Olson Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

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 10.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
18%
ELA
31%
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: 4.9/10.

How Olson Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in MN
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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 5.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn Center), with a very similar rating. Additionally, KIPP North Star Academy (rated 4.2/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.2
KIPP North Star Primary Minneapolis 0.3 mi 5.2
Jenny Lind Elementary Minneapolis 0.4 mi 4.7
Henry High Minneapolis 0.9 mi 6.0
LORING ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 0.9 mi 3.5
Brooklyn Center Elementary School Brooklyn Center 1.1 mi 5.0
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 5.6
Brooklyn Center Early College Acad Brooklyn Center 1.2 mi 5.2
New Millennium Academy Charter Brooklyn Center 1.1 mi 4.5
SOJOURNER TRUTH ACADEMY Minneapolis 1.6 mi 7.0
NORTHPORT ELEMENTARY Brooklyn Center 1.3 mi 6.5
Brooklyn Center High School Brooklyn Center 1.9 mi 6.1
Brooklyn Center Middle School Brooklyn Center 1.9 mi 5.4
Progeny Academy Charter School Brooklyn Center 1.7 mi 7.3
Lucy Laney Elementary Minneapolis 2.2 mi 5.2
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Robbinsdale 1.7 mi 4.3
Cityview Elementary Minneapolis 2.3 mi 6.9
Hmong International Elementary Minneapolis 2.5 mi 5.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Olson Middle has a median household income of $77,385. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,800, with a median rent of $1,370/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Brooklyn Center Middle School Brooklyn Center, MN 5.4
Hennepin Schools Upper Campus Minneapolis, MN 5.4
CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cass Lake, MN 5.3
ROYALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Royalton, MN 5.6
Sandburg Middle School Golden Valley, MN 5.6
Anwatin Middle Minneapolis, MN 5.2

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 is ranked #1459 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Olson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Olson Middle has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Olson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Olson Middle has 10.2% math proficiency and 22.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (6,330/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Minneapolis). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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.