Very Good
#410 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 21% in state
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · COOK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
101 W 5TH ST, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Marais
#3 of 4
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#333 of 962
In district
#3 of 3
COOK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Sawtooth Mountain Elementary
SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY is a charming elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 192 students and maintains a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. While SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY ranks as #502 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota according to MySchoolScout, the school focuses on nurturing its students' development and growth.
The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 60%, showing solid performance, while Math proficiency is at 41%. These scores indicate areas where there is room for improvement but also highlight the dedicated efforts of educators to support their students. The serene setting in Grand Marais offers a unique rural environment that provides rich opportunities for outdoor learning and community engagement.
SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY thrives within this close-knit community, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 192 students, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Sawtooth Mountain Elementary — Students at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.4%
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: 6.9/10.
How Sawtooth Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Sawtooth Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
101 W 5TH ST, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sawtooth Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COOK COUNTY SENIOR HIGH (rated 8.9/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is COOK COUNTY MIDDLE (rated 7.9/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GREAT EXPECTATIONS (rated 5.8/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Marais, see our Grand Marais schools guide .
Nearby Schools
3 within 0.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COOK COUNTY SENIOR HIGH Grand Marais | 0.0 mi | 8.9 |
| COOK COUNTY MIDDLE Grand Marais | 0.0 mi | 7.9 |
| GREAT EXPECTATIONS Grand Marais | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,458
Median Home Value
$307,100
Median Rent
$1,036/mo
Population
3,613
College Educated
49.4%
Homeownership
80.1%
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
54.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $71,458. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,100, with a median rent of $1,036/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HIGHWOOD HILLS ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 7.5 |
| HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek, MN | 7.5 |
| KELLIHER ELEMENTARY Kelliher, MN | 7.5 |
| Nokomis Montessori South Campus Saint Paul, MN | 7.5 |
| RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond, MN | 7.5 |
| Swan River Montessori Charter Sch Monticello, MN | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sawtooth Mountain Elementary
What grades does Sawtooth Mountain Elementary serve?
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sawtooth Mountain Elementary?
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sawtooth Mountain Elementary rank in MN?
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is ranked #410 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Sawtooth Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary 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 Sawtooth Mountain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary has 41.2% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sawtooth Mountain Elementary a charter school?
No, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sawtooth Mountain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sawtooth Mountain Elementary?
48.4% of students at Sawtooth Mountain 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 192
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (218) 387-2271
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
COOK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 457
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,364
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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