Average
#1396 of 1,992 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
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,396 of 1,992
In Paynesville
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Paynesville Area Schools
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Paynesville Area Elementary
Elementary School in Paynesville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Paynesville Area Secondary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Riverview Christian School
9.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paynesville Area Elementary
Paynesville Area Elementary is a public elementary school in Paynesville, MN, part of Paynesville Area Schools. Paynesville Area Elementary serves approximately 436 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Paynesville Area Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,396 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Paynesville Area Elementary show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- MN avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Paynesville Area Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paynesville Area Elementary — Students at Paynesville Area Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 28 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: 4.8/10.
How Paynesville Area Elementary Compares
See how Paynesville Area Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. RICHMOND ELEMENTARY (rated 9.6/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is EDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Eden Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PRAIRIE WOODS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 5.8 |
| RIVERVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grove City | 9.2 mi | — |
| EDEN VALLEY SECONDARY Eden Valley | 9.1 mi | 6.6 |
| EDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Eden Valley | 9.4 mi | 7.6 |
| STS. PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Richmond | 10.9 mi | 5.1 |
| RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond | 11.0 mi | 9.6 |
| A.C.G.C. SECONDARY Grove City | 16.3 mi | 7.2 |
| ACGC ELEMENTARY GRADES 5 AND 6 Grove City | 16.3 mi | 5.2 |
| NEW LONDON-SPICER MIDDLE New London | 12.6 mi | 8.4 |
| NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. New London | 12.6 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW LONDON ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL New London | 12.6 mi | — |
| PRAIRIE WOODS ELEMENTARY New London | 13.0 mi | 7.5 |
| A.C.G.C. ELEMENTARY Atwater | 17.2 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| ST BONIFACE SCHOOL Cold Spring | 14.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Albany Area Middle School Albany | 19.0 mi | 6.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY Fergus Falls, MN | 5.5 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN | 5.5 |
| FRAZEE ELEMENTARY Frazee, MN | 5.5 |
| GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Brainerd, MN | 5.5 |
| LE CENTER PRE K-8 Le Center, MN | 5.5 |
| MONROE ELEMENTARY North Mankato, MN | 5.5 |
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 ranks #1,396 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Paynesville Area Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Paynesville Area Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Paynesville Area Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paynesville Area Elementary has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 6.9%
- Phone
- (320) 243-3725
Resources & Links
District
Paynesville Area Schools- District Enrollment
- 920
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,238
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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