Skip to main content

Very Good

#505 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 25% 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

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#505 of 1,992

In Minneapolis

#30 of 125

public schools

In district

#23 of 78

Minneapolis Public School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Sanford Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Sanford Middle

7.2/10

Middle School in Minneapolis · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Howe Elementary

8.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Minnehaha Academy - Upper School

7.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sanford Middle

Sanford Middle is a public middle school in Minneapolis, MN, part of Minneapolis Public School District. Sanford Middle serves approximately 705 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Sanford Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #505 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Sanford Middle show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.8
  • MN avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Sanford Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency46% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,839
Chronic Absenteeism35.3%

Sanford Middle — Students at Sanford Middle score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2010
Math
33%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
55%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Sanford Middle Compares

See how Sanford Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
75th percentile in MN
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 3.4/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Friendship Academy of Arts - Interm (rated 2.3/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Minneapolis, see our Minneapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Howe Elementary Minneapolis 0.3 mi 8.9
MINNEHAHA ACADEMY - UPPER SCHOOL Minneapolis 0.6 mi 7.6
DOWLING ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 0.6 mi 7.3
HIAWATHA ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 0.9 mi 5.2
Friendship Academy of Arts - Interm Minneapolis 0.8 mi 2.3
MINNEHAHA ACADEMY LOWER SCHOOL Minneapolis 0.9 mi 8.1
Hiawatha College Prep - Kingfield Minneapolis 1.0 mi 3.4
Hiawatha Collegiate High School Minneapolis 1.0 mi 4.9
Bdote Learning Center Minneapolis 1.0 mi 6.8
Longfellow Alternative High Minneapolis 0.9 mi 6.4
SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 1.1 mi 6.3
Anishinabe Academy Elementary Minneapolis 1.1 mi 5.4
NORTHROP ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 1.2 mi 9.2
OPEN ARMS EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CENTER Minneapolis 1.0 mi 5.3
Roosevelt High Minneapolis 1.1 mi 6.4
Roosevelt High - SWS Minneapolis 1.1 mi
Friendship Academy of Arts-Primary Minneapolis 1.1 mi 7.8
Universal Academy Elementary Minneapolis 1.2 mi 6.5
Universal Academy Middle/High Minneapolis 1.2 mi
SUNNY HOLLOW MONTESSORI Saint Paul 1.4 mi 7.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anthony Middle Minneapolis, MN 7.2
CENTRAL MIDDLE East Grand Forks, MN 7.2
MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Marshall, MN 7.2
CENTURY MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeville, MN 7.3
SOUTH VIEW MIDDLE Edina, MN 7.3
Kennedy Middle School Fergus Falls, MN 7.1

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 ranks #505 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Sanford Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanford Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sanford Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sanford Middle has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
81 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

District

Minneapolis Public School District
District Enrollment
29,063
Schools in District
98
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,839
District Rank
#23 of 78

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.