Average
#1337 of 1,986 schools in MN
Pine River-backus Elementary
Elementary School · PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 610, Pine River, MN 56474
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pine River
#3 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#757 of 962
In district
#3 of 3
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Pine River-backus Elementary
Pine River-Backus Elementary is a rural public school located in Pine River, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 477 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Pine River-Backus Elementary is currently rated at 4.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks #1518 among the state’s 2,027 schools in Minnesota, placing it around the 25th percentile.
Test scores show that 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in Math. Pine River-Backus Elementary is situated in a remote rural area, offering a close-knit community where students can benefit from personalized attention and strong teacher support. The setting provides a unique environment that fosters a sense of belonging and engagement within the school's tight-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pine River-backus 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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Data not available for this school
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Pine River-backus Elementary — Students at Pine River-backus Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.6%
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: 4.3/10.
How Pine River-backus Elementary Compares
See how Pine River-backus Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 49% (2022).
Location
P.O. BOX 610, Pine River, MN 56474
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pine River-backus Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NISSWA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Nisswa), which scores notably higher. Another option is PILLAGER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Pillager), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Pequot Lakes), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pine River, see our Pine River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL Pine River | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Pine River-Backus ALP Pine River | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Backus | 8.5 mi | 6.4 |
| PEQUOT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Pequot Lakes | 9.7 mi | 3.9 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes | 9.7 mi | 4.1 |
| EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY Pequot Lakes | 11.0 mi | 7.1 |
| NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa | 15.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake | 14.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community 6-12 Online Crosslake | 14.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Crosslake Community K-5 Online Crosslake | 14.6 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walker | 23.2 mi | — |
| Up North Learning Center Walker | 24.9 mi | — |
| Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager | 26.9 mi | 4.5 |
| BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter | 27.0 mi | 7.1 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager | 27.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager | 27.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Pillager Middle School Pillager | 27.8 mi | 5.8 |
| LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter | 26.9 mi | 3.3 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker | 26.9 mi | 6.3 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY Walker | 26.9 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56474 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,741
Median Home Value
$220,500
Median Rent
$870/mo
Population
4,471
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pine River-backus Elementary has a median household income of $55,741. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,500, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| BLACKDUCK ELEMENTARY Blackduck, MN | 5.7 |
| Folwell Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 5.7 |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Columbia Heights, MN | 5.7 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Blaine, MN | 5.7 |
| Orchard Lake Elementary Lakeville, MN | 5.7 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Faribault, MN | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pine River-backus Elementary
What grades does Pine River-backus Elementary serve?
Pine River-backus Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Pine River-backus Elementary?
Pine River-backus Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pine River-backus Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pine River-backus Elementary rank in MN?
Pine River-backus Elementary is ranked #1337 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Pine River-backus Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pine River-backus Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Pine River-backus Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pine River-backus Elementary has 38.7% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pine River-backus Elementary a charter school?
No, Pine River-backus Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pine River-backus Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pine River-backus Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pine River-backus Elementary?
68.6% of students at Pine River-backus 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,283/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pine River). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (218) 587-4447
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 879
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,348
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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