Average
#1509 of 1,986 schools in MN
Ponemah Elementary
Elementary School · RED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
25039 ABINOOJIIN DR, Ponemah, MN 56666
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
6.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
6.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota elementary schools
#808 of 962
In district
#4 of 6
RED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Ponemah Elementary
Ponemah Elementary is a small rural school in Ponemah, Minnesota, nestled in the remote setting of Beltrami County. Serving preschool through eighth grade students, it has an enrollment of 115 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s focus is on providing personalized attention to its diverse range of learners in a close-knit community setting.
Ponemah Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating reflects the challenges it faces, ranking at 3.1 out of 10 and placing it in the bottom sixth percentile among Minnesota schools for both state ranking and academic performance scores. The school shows that only 6% of its students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and Math across all grades, indicating a strong need for continued improvement in these areas. Despite these challenges, Ponemah Elementary remains committed to supporting the educational needs of its rural community, offering a nurturing environment where teachers can give individualized care to each student.
The school’s setting offers a unique context that values close relationships between students and staff, fostering a supportive learning atmosphere amidst the serene backdrop of Beltrami County.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 115 students, Ponemah Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1, Ponemah Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Ponemah 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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Ponemah Elementary — Students at Ponemah Elementary score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.1%
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: 5.9/10.
How Ponemah Elementary Compares
See how Ponemah Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
25039 ABINOOJIIN DR, Ponemah, MN 56666
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponemah Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SOLWAY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.9/10, 35.7 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores notably higher. Another option is RED LAKE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (rated 8.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Red Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Schoolcraft Learning Community (rated 7.7/10, 25.4 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ponemah, see our Ponemah schools guide .
Nearby Schools
17 within 41.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RED LAKE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING Red Lake | 10.7 mi | 7.4 |
| RED LAKE SECONDARY Red Lake | 10.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Red Lake Middle School Red Lake | 10.7 mi | 3.8 |
| RED LAKE MIDDLE LEVEL ALC Red Lake | 10.7 mi | — |
| Red Lake EC Special Education Ext Red Lake | 10.7 mi | — |
| Endazhi-Nitaawiging Red Lake | 11.3 mi | 4.3 |
| RED LAKE ELEMENTARY Red Lake | 11.6 mi | 4.0 |
| RED LAKE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Red Lake | 11.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Schoolcraft Learning Community Bemidji | 25.4 mi | 7.7 |
| NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 32.1 mi | 4.6 |
| BLACKDUCK ELEMENTARY Blackduck | 26.1 mi | 5.7 |
| BLACKDUCK SECONDARY Blackduck | 26.1 mi | 5.2 |
| KELLIHER ELEMENTARY Kelliher | 21.9 mi | 7.5 |
| KELLIHER SECONDARY Kelliher | 21.9 mi | 7.1 |
| SOLWAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 35.7 mi | 8.9 |
| BAGLEY SECONDARY Bagley | 40.3 mi | 2.5 |
| BAGLEY ELEMENTARY Bagley | 41.0 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56666 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,250
Median Home Value
$113,400
Median Rent
$438/mo
Population
1,092
College Educated
0%
Homeownership
57.8%
Poverty Rate
38.2%
Median Age
18.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponemah Elementary has a median household income of $50,250. It is a community where 0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,400, with a median rent of $438/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bdote Learning Center Minneapolis, MN | 5.3 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pierz, MN | 5.3 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield, MN | 5.3 |
| NORMAN COUNTY EAST ELEMENTARY Twin Valley, MN | 5.3 |
| OPEN ARMS EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CENTER Minneapolis, MN | 5.3 |
| Quantum STEAM Academy Elementary Saint Paul, MN | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponemah Elementary
What grades does Ponemah Elementary serve?
Ponemah Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Ponemah Elementary?
Ponemah Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponemah Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponemah Elementary is 6.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponemah Elementary rank in MN?
Ponemah Elementary is ranked #1509 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Ponemah Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponemah Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Ponemah Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponemah Elementary has 5.7% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponemah Elementary a charter school?
No, Ponemah Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponemah Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ponemah Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponemah Elementary?
79.1% of students at Ponemah 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
- County Safety
- Average (444/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 115
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Beltrami County
- Phone
- (218) 554-7337
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RED LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,441
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,400
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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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