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Average

#748 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 38% 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

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#748 of 1,992

In Grand Marais

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

COOK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Sawtooth Mountain Elementary

6.7/10

Elementary School in Grand Marais · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cook County Senior High

7.4/10

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

Cook County Middle

5.7/10

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

About Sawtooth Mountain Elementary

Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Marais, MN, part of COOK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Sawtooth Mountain Elementary serves approximately 192 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Sawtooth Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #748 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Sawtooth Mountain Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.3 pts above MN schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 192 students, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sawtooth Mountain Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary 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 Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,364
Chronic Absenteeism30.7%

Sawtooth Mountain Elementary — Students at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
57%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Sawtooth Mountain Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
63th percentile in MN
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.7%

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 7.4/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is COOK COUNTY MIDDLE (rated 5.7/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GREAT EXPECTATIONS (rated 5.6/10, 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 7.4
COOK COUNTY MIDDLE Grand Marais 0.0 mi 5.7
GREAT EXPECTATIONS Grand Marais 0.4 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Agamim Classical Academy Edina, MN 6.7
BLESSED TRINITY-PENN CAMPUS Richfield, MN 6.7
MADISON-MARIETTA-NASSAU ELEMENTARY Madison, MN 6.7
ST ALPHONSUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brooklyn Center, MN 6.7
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wayzata, MN 6.7
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Ely, MN 6.7

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 ranks #748 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Sawtooth Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sawtooth Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Sawtooth Mountain Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

4 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.7%

District

COOK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
457
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,364
District Rank
#2 of 3

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