Below Average
#1772 of 1,986 schools in MN
Paynesville Area Elementary
Elementary School · Paynesville Area Schools
205 W MILL ST, Paynesville, MN 56362
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paynesville
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#885 of 962
In district
#1 of 2
Paynesville Area Schools
About Paynesville Area Elementary
Paynesville Area Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Paynesville, Minnesota. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 436 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 and 27 full-time equivalent teachers, Paynesville Area Elementary provides a supportive learning environment.
Academically, the school is ranked at #1564 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it in the 23rd percentile. The MySchoolScout Rating is 4.3 out of 10, with an academic score of 5.9 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, 53% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math.
Paynesville Area Elementary focuses on student development and provides a nurturing atmosphere for young learners to grow and thrive. The school is situated in a rural area where community involvement is strong, contributing to a close-knit environment that values education and supports its youth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Paynesville Area 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 metricsView breakdown
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Paynesville Area Elementary — Students at Paynesville Area Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.1%
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: 3.5/10.
How Paynesville Area Elementary Compares
See how Paynesville Area Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
205 W MILL ST, Paynesville, MN 56362
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paynesville Area Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A.C.G.C. ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Atwater), which scores notably higher. Another option is RICHMOND ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PRAIRIE WOODS ELEMENTARY (rated 6.6/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby New London), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paynesville, see our Paynesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paynesville Area Secondary School Paynesville | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| RIVERVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grove City | 9.2 mi | — |
| EDEN VALLEY SECONDARY Eden Valley | 9.1 mi | 4.7 |
| EDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Eden Valley | 9.4 mi | 5.5 |
| STS. PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Richmond | 10.9 mi | 5.1 |
| RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond | 11.0 mi | 7.5 |
| A.C.G.C. SECONDARY Grove City | 16.3 mi | 5.0 |
| ACGC ELEMENTARY GRADES 5 AND 6 Grove City | 16.3 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW LONDON-SPICER MIDDLE New London | 12.6 mi | 7.3 |
| NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. New London | 12.6 mi | 5.2 |
| NEW LONDON ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL New London | 12.6 mi | — |
| PRAIRIE WOODS ELEMENTARY New London | 13.0 mi | 6.6 |
| A.C.G.C. ELEMENTARY Atwater | 17.2 mi | 8.7 |
| ST JOHNS-ST ANDREWS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greenwald | 17.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Prairie Meadows Learning Center New London | 15.2 mi | — |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Freeport | 19.7 mi | 4.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Albany | 18.7 mi | 5.0 |
| BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA SEC. Belgrade | 14.7 mi | 3.3 |
| ST BONIFACE SCHOOL Cold Spring | 14.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Albany Area Middle School Albany | 19.0 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56362 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,536
Median Home Value
$242,700
Median Rent
$888/mo
Population
5,560
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
82.6%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
45.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paynesville Area Elementary has a median household income of $81,536. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,700, with a median rent of $888/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| MEADOW LAKE ELEMENTARY New Hope, MN | 4.6 |
| NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji, MN | 4.6 |
| PULLMAN ELEMENTARY Saint Paul Park, MN | 4.6 |
| RIVERSIDE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 4.6 |
| ST. JAMES NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Saint James, MN | 4.6 |
| WASHBURN ELEMENTARY Bloomington, MN | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paynesville Area Elementary
What grades does Paynesville Area Elementary serve?
Paynesville Area Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Paynesville Area Elementary?
Paynesville Area Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paynesville Area Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Paynesville Area Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paynesville Area Elementary rank in MN?
Paynesville Area Elementary is ranked #1772 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Paynesville Area Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Paynesville Area Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Paynesville Area Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paynesville Area Elementary has 53.0% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paynesville Area Elementary a charter school?
No, Paynesville Area Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paynesville Area Elementary a Title I school?
No, Paynesville Area Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paynesville Area Elementary?
29.1% of students at Paynesville Area 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (306/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paynesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 436
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stearns County
- Phone
- (320) 243-3725
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paynesville Area Schools- District Enrollment
- 920
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,238
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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