Very Good
#419 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 21% in state
Sanford Middle
Middle School · Minneapolis Public School District
3524 42ND AVE S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Minneapolis
#31 of 125
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#16 of 280
In district
#25 of 78
Minneapolis Public School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Sanford Middle
Sanford Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 705 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated staff includes 39 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students.
Academically, Sanford Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks as the 471st best middle school in Minnesota based on state rankings. Students perform at an average level with 53% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for improvement and opportunities for growth. Sanford Middle School is situated in a bustling urban environment within the heart of Minneapolis.
While there isn't specific neighborhood data available, the school benefits from being part of this vibrant city community, offering students diverse cultural experiences and resources beyond the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sanford Middle — Students at Sanford Middle score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Sanford Middle Compares
See how Sanford Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
3524 42ND AVE S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sanford Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hiawatha College Prep - Kingfield (rated 4.6/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Friendship Academy of Arts - Interm (rated 2.4/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Minneapolis, see our Minneapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,865
Median Home Value
$335,500
Median Rent
$1,276/mo
Population
35,863
College Educated
56%
Homeownership
66.8%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sanford Middle has a median household income of $91,865. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,500, with a median rent of $1,276/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| WAYZATA EAST MIDDLE Plymouth, MN | 7.4 |
| Anthony Middle Minneapolis, MN | 7.7 |
| DASSEL-COKATO MIDDLE Cokato, MN | 7.7 |
| NEW LONDON-SPICER MIDDLE New London, MN | 7.3 |
| NEW ULM MIDDLE SCHOOL New Ulm, MN | 7.3 |
| VALLEY VIEW MIDDLE Bloomington, MN | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sanford Middle
What grades does Sanford Middle serve?
Sanford Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Sanford Middle?
Sanford Middle has an enrollment of approximately 705 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sanford Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Sanford Middle is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sanford Middle rank in MN?
Sanford Middle is ranked #419 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Sanford Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Sanford Middle has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Sanford Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanford Middle has 34.3% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sanford Middle a charter school?
No, Sanford Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sanford Middle a Title I school?
No, Sanford Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sanford Middle?
35.2% of students at Sanford Middle 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
- Walk Score
- 69 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 43 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 81 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (6,330/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Minneapolis). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 705
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Hennepin County
- Phone
- (612) 668-4900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Minneapolis Public School District- District Enrollment
- 29,063
- Schools in District
- 98
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,839
- District Rank
- #25 of 78
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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