Below Average
#1874 of 1,986 schools in MN
Salk Middle School
Middle School · Elk River Public School District
11970 HIGHLAND RD, Elk River, MN 55330
Enrollment
677
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
677
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elk River
#13 of 14
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#240 of 280
In district
#19 of 21
Elk River Public School District
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Salk Middle School
Salk Middle School is a public middle school located in the large suburban area of Elk River, Minnesota. Serving students in grades six through eight, Salk has an enrollment of 677 students and employs 27 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 25.1:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it at the 43rd percentile among Minnesota schools with a state ranking of #1162 out of 2027.
In terms of academic performance, Salk Middle School scores an average of 7.5 out of 10 for overall academic achievement, with 63% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, and 59% meeting proficiency standards in math. While these numbers indicate areas where the school can improve academically, Salk focuses on student development and provides a supportive environment for its diverse student body. Salk Middle School is nestled in a suburban community that offers both quiet residential neighborhoods and easy access to local amenities and recreational activities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Salk Middle School is 25.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Salk Middle School — Students at Salk Middle School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
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: 2.4/10.
How Salk Middle School Compares
See how Salk Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
11970 HIGHLAND RD, Elk River, MN 55330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Salk Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Spectrum Middle School - Grade 6 (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 (rated 5.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Elk River, see our Elk River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| ISD 728 FOCUS/JOURNEY Elk River | 0.5 mi | — |
| ELK RIVER SENIOR HIGH Elk River | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| IVAN SAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Elk River | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| FAIRVIEW PROGRAM Elk River | 0.6 mi | — |
| Ivan Sand Middle School ALC Elk River | 0.6 mi | — |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Elk River | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| PARKER ELEMENTARY Elk River | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| ELK RIVER DISTRICT SHARED TIME PROG Elk River | 0.7 mi | — |
| C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Elk River | 0.7 mi | — |
| Online728 High School Elk River | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Online728 Elementary School Elk River | 0.7 mi | — |
| Online728 Middle School Elk River | 0.7 mi | — |
| MEADOWVALE ELEMENTARY Elk River | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Handke Center- EC Special Education Elk River | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| ST ANDREW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Elk River | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL Elk River | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 Elk River | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Spectrum Middle School - Grade 6 Elk River | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Three Rivers Montessori School Elk River | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,481
Median Home Value
$355,200
Median Rent
$1,356/mo
Population
45,080
College Educated
33.1%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Salk Middle School has a median household income of $111,481. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,200, with a median rent of $1,356/month. The local poverty rate of 2.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| CAMBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cambridge, MN | 4.1 |
| PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes, MN | 4.1 |
| PLYMOUTH MIDDLE Plymouth, MN | 4.1 |
| Albany Area Middle School Albany, MN | 4.0 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia Heights, MN | 4.0 |
| FRIENDLY HILLS MIDDLE Mendota Heights, MN | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salk Middle School
What grades does Salk Middle School serve?
Salk Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Salk Middle School?
Salk Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 677 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Salk Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Salk Middle School is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Salk Middle School rank in MN?
Salk Middle School is ranked #1874 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Salk Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Salk Middle School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Salk Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salk Middle School has 59.0% math proficiency and 62.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Salk Middle School a charter school?
No, Salk Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Salk Middle School a Title I school?
No, Salk Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Salk Middle School?
30.4% of students at Salk 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,096/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elk River). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 677
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sherburne County
- Phone
- (763) 241-3455
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Elk River Public School District- District Enrollment
- 14,352
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,958
- District Rank
- #19 of 21
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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