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Average

#827 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 42% in state

Robert J. Elkington Middle School

Middle School · GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

1000 NE 8TH AVE, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Enrollment

778

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#6 of 7

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#42 of 280

In district

#7 of 10

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Robert J. Elkington Middle School

Robert J. Elkington Middle School serves approximately 778 students in grades 6 through 8 in Grand Rapids, a remote town in northern Minnesota's Itasca County. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a relatively balanced learning environment for its middle-grade population.

Academically, the school ranks in the 59th percentile statewide, placing it at #826 out of 2,027 Minnesota schools. In English language arts and reading, 60% of students score at proficient levels or above. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 50% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks.

The school's overall academic score of 7.2/10 reflects the diverse learning needs within the student body and the school's focus on supporting student development across core subjects. Located in a rural setting, Robert J. Elkington Middle School is positioned to serve the educational needs of Grand Rapids' young adolescents, offering a middle-grade experience in a remote Minnesota community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,334

Robert J. Elkington Middle School — Students at Robert J. Elkington Middle School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
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
55%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
58%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Robert J. Elkington Middle School Compares

See how Robert J. Elkington Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in MN
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

1000 NE 8TH AVE, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Robert J. Elkington Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GREENWAY MIDDLE (rated 5.0/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Coleraine), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hill City Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Hill City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
MIDDLE AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids 0.0 mi
East Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids 0.1 mi 8.6
ITASKIN EDUCATION CENTER Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 7.5
GRAND RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 7.2
GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.1
GRAND RAPIDS AREA LEARNING CENTER Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 4.5
West Rapids Elementary Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 8.2
VANDYKE ELEMENTARY Coleraine 5.1 mi 7.0
GREENWAY MIDDLE Coleraine 5.2 mi 5.0
GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine 5.2 mi 7.9
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset 5.1 mi 7.3
BLACKBERRY SDA SCHOOL Grand Rapids 7.3 mi
MARBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Marble 11.4 mi
HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City 17.9 mi 8.8
HILL CITY SENIOR HIGH Hill City 17.9 mi 7.2
Hill City Middle School Hill City 17.9 mi 4.8
NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Warba 13.9 mi 6.7
KING ELEMENTARY Deer River 14.1 mi 8.2
Deer River Schools SPED Deer River 14.3 mi
DEER RIVER SECONDARY Deer River 14.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55744 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,213

Median Home Value

$232,700

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

20,469

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Robert J. Elkington Middle School has a median household income of $68,213. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,700, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
CHASKA MIDDLE SCHOOL EAST Chaska, MN 6.7
NORTHEAST MIDDLE Minneapolis, MN 6.8
ORONO MIDDLE Long Lake, MN 6.8
CHASKA MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST Chaska, MN 6.6
I.J. HOLTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Austin, MN 6.6
South St. Paul Middle School South Saint Paul, MN 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Robert J. Elkington Middle School

What grades does Robert J. Elkington Middle School serve?

Robert J. Elkington Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Robert J. Elkington Middle School?

Robert J. Elkington Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 778 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert J. Elkington Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Robert J. Elkington Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Robert J. Elkington Middle School rank in MN?

Robert J. Elkington Middle School is ranked #827 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Robert J. Elkington Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Robert J. Elkington Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Robert J. Elkington Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert J. Elkington Middle School has 49.7% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Robert J. Elkington Middle School a charter school?

No, Robert J. Elkington Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Robert J. Elkington Middle School a Title I school?

No, Robert J. Elkington Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert J. Elkington Middle School?

40.4% of students at Robert J. Elkington Middle School 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,121/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
778
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Itasca County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,024
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#7 of 10

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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