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Below Average

#1692 of 1,986 schools in MN

Rutherford Elementary

Elementary School · Stillwater Area Public Schools

115 RUTHERFORD RD, Stillwater, MN 55082

Enrollment

560

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Stillwater

#15 of 15

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#863 of 962

In district

#11 of 13

Stillwater Area Public Schools

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Rutherford Elementary

Rutherford Elementary is a regular public school located in Stillwater, Minnesota, on the outskirts of an urban area. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Rutherford has a student body of 560 students and employs 34 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at the 54th percentile among Minnesota schools.

Academically, Rutherford scores an 8.1/10 on MySchoolScout, with 63% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 62% proficient or above in math. While there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment. Rutherford Elementary sits in a town setting that offers easy access to both rural and urban amenities, making it a welcoming community for families looking for a balance between small-town charm and larger city conveniences.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,073

Rutherford Elementary — Students at Rutherford Elementary score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.3%
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
73%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
59%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Rutherford Elementary Compares

See how Rutherford Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
15th percentile in MN
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

115 RUTHERFORD RD, Stillwater, MN 55082

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rutherford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LAKE ELMO ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Lake Elmo), which scores notably higher. Another option is GATE 4/5 (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marine Area Community School (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Stillwater, see our Stillwater schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
LILY LAKE ELEMENTARY Stillwater 1.3 mi 5.2
STILLWATER AREA HIGH SCHOOL Stillwater 1.9 mi 6.2
ST CROIX VALLEY AREA LEARNING CNTR. Stillwater 1.9 mi 6.2
CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF THE ST CROIX VALLEY Stillwater 1.8 mi 7.9
STONEBRIDGE ELEMENTARY Stillwater 1.7 mi 7.2
NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOL INC. Stillwater 2.0 mi 5.7
Stillwater Middle School Stillwater 2.3 mi 6.4
GATE 4/5 Stillwater 2.3 mi 7.6
A/O PROGRAM White Bear Lake 2.3 mi
STILLWATER SPECIAL SERVICES-ECSE Stillwater 2.3 mi 6.8
Marine Area Community School Stillwater 2.5 mi 7.4
ST CROIX CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stillwater 2.5 mi 5.4
STILLWATER DIST. SPECIAL SERVICES Stillwater 2.7 mi
Bridge Transition Program Stillwater 2.7 mi
SALEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stillwater 2.8 mi 4.2
WCJC Stillwater 3.0 mi
LAKE ELMO ELEMENTARY Lake Elmo 4.0 mi 8.6
Houlton Elementary Houlton 3.4 mi 7.1
Hudson 4K Houlton 3.4 mi 5.2
ST. CROIX PREPARATORY ACADEMY LOWER Stillwater 4.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55082 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$117,538

Median Home Value

$459,500

Median Rent

$1,439/mo

Population

36,414

College Educated

52.8%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rutherford Elementary has a median household income of $117,538. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $459,500, with a median rent of $1,439/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
BARNESVILLE ELEMENTARY Barnesville, MN 4.9
MENAHGA ELEMENTARY Menahga, MN 4.9
Prairie Seeds El School Academy Brooklyn Park, MN 4.9
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Willmar, MN 4.9
Brooklyn Center Elementary School Brooklyn Center, MN 5.0
EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY Hopkins, MN 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rutherford Elementary

What grades does Rutherford Elementary serve?

Rutherford Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Rutherford Elementary?

Rutherford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rutherford Elementary rank in MN?

Rutherford Elementary is ranked #1692 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Rutherford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rutherford Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Rutherford Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rutherford Elementary has 62.0% math proficiency and 63.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rutherford Elementary a charter school?

No, Rutherford Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rutherford Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rutherford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rutherford Elementary?

13.0% of students at Rutherford 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (959/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Stillwater Area Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,368
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,764
District Rank
#11 of 13

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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