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Very Good

#588 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 30% in state

Parkers Prairie Elementary

Elementary School · PARKERS PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.

BOX 46 518 S MCCORNELL, Parkers Prairie, MN 56361

Enrollment

257

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Parkers Prairie

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#424 of 962

In district

#1 of 2

PARKERS PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Parkers Prairie Elementary

Parkers Prairie Elementary serves 257 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the heart of rural Minnesota's Otter Tail County. With 18 full-time teachers maintaining a favorable 14.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides personalized attention in a close-knit learning environment. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 76th percentile among Minnesota elementary schools at #482 out of 2,027 statewide.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 62% achieving proficiency or above, while 52% meet or exceed standards in English language arts and reading. Located in ZIP code 56361, the school serves a community where the median household income is $69,556 and median home value reaches $204,300. The area maintains a low poverty rate of 9.5%, contributing to a stable learning environment for students.

While only 12% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community of 2,650 people demonstrates strong support for education. Parkers Prairie Elementary operates in Minnesota's remote rural landscape, where students benefit from small-class instruction and strong community connections that characterize rural education at its best.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Parkers Prairie 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 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,272

Parkers Prairie Elementary — Students at Parkers Prairie Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
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
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
52%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Parkers Prairie Elementary Compares

See how Parkers Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in MN
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

BOX 46 518 S MCCORNELL, Parkers Prairie, MN 56361

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Parkers Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GARFIELD ELEMENTARY (rated 8.9/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Garfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is CARLOS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Carlos), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VOYAGER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Parkers Prairie, see our Parkers Prairie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PARKERS PRAIRIE SECONDARY Parkers Prairie 0.2 mi 4.5
MILTONA ELEMENTARY Miltona 7.6 mi 7.1
CARLOS ELEMENTARY Carlos 12.1 mi 8.5
HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning 13.0 mi 7.1
HENNING SECONDARY Henning 13.0 mi 5.4
NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria 16.5 mi 7.4
VOYAGER ELEMENTARY Alexandria 16.6 mi 8.4
Runestone Alternative School Alexandria 17.1 mi 7.3
Discovery Middle School Alexandria 17.4 mi 4.9
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield 16.2 mi 8.9
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alexandria 18.0 mi 4.5
ST MARYS SCHOOL Alexandria 18.2 mi 5.5
Lakes Country Academy - ALEX Fergus Falls 18.4 mi
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexandria 18.8 mi 6.8
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Alexandria 18.8 mi 6.0
GREEN MEADOW Wadena 18.1 mi
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Alexandria 18.9 mi 7.7
Kalon Prep Academy Alexandria 19.5 mi 6.4
BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha 15.1 mi 8.3
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha 15.1 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56361 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,896

Median Home Value

$219,800

Median Rent

$792/mo

Population

2,590

College Educated

11.2%

Homeownership

84.9%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Parkers Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $69,896. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,800, with a median rent of $792/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
AVE MARIA ACADEMY Maple Grove, MN 7.2
BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Richfield, MN 7.2
FERTILE-BELTRAMI ELEMENTARY Fertile, MN 7.2
MINNEOTA ELEMENTARY Minneota, MN 7.2
Oak Hill Montessori Community Shoreview, MN 7.2
PRAIRIE CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL Northfield, MN 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Parkers Prairie Elementary

What grades does Parkers Prairie Elementary serve?

Parkers Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Parkers Prairie Elementary?

Parkers Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Parkers Prairie Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Parkers Prairie Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Parkers Prairie Elementary rank in MN?

Parkers Prairie Elementary is ranked #588 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Parkers Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Parkers Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Parkers Prairie Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parkers Prairie Elementary has 60.3% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Parkers Prairie Elementary a charter school?

No, Parkers Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Parkers Prairie Elementary a Title I school?

No, Parkers Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Parkers Prairie Elementary?

39.3% of students at Parkers Prairie 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Low (194/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Otter Tail County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PARKERS PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.
District Enrollment
535
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,673
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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