Excellent
#29 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 1% in state
Solway Elementary
Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
146
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bemidji
#1 of 17
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#29 of 962
In district
#1 of 11
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Solway Elementary
Solway Elementary is a public elementary school in Bemidji, MN, part of the BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The school serves approximately 146 students in grades Pre-K – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 98.6th percentile among MN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 50% proficiency in math and 43% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $69,782, where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 146 students, Solway 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, Solway 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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Solway Elementary — Students at Solway Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Solway Elementary Compares
See how Solway Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Solway Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 8.3/10, 11.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 9.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Schoolcraft Learning Community (rated 7.7/10, 10.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bemidji, see our Bemidji schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Schoolcraft Learning Community Bemidji | 10.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji | 9.3 mi | 8.2 |
| PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji | 9.0 mi | — |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji | 9.9 mi | 4.5 |
| BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji | 9.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji | 9.7 mi | 3.5 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji | 10.1 mi | 6.3 |
| BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji | 10.1 mi | — |
| OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji | 10.4 mi | — |
| FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji | 10.5 mi | 5.1 |
| TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji | 10.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Trek North Middle School Bemidji | 10.4 mi | 2.6 |
| BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji | 10.7 mi | — |
| NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 11.2 mi | 4.6 |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji | 11.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji | 11.6 mi | — |
| ST PHILIP'S SCHOOL Bemidji | 11.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn Bemidji | 11.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji | 11.5 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,782
Median Home Value
$242,400
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
Population
34,700
College Educated
37.8%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Solway Elementary has a median household income of $69,782. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,400, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield, MN | 8.9 |
| MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY Mabel, MN | 8.9 |
| RIDGEWAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Houston, MN | 8.9 |
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Lakeville, MN | 8.8 |
| CORNERSTONE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 9.0 |
| HILL CITY ELEMENTARY Hill City, MN | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Solway Elementary
What grades does Solway Elementary serve?
Solway Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend Solway Elementary?
Solway Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 146 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Solway Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Solway Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Solway Elementary rank in MN?
Solway Elementary is ranked #29 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Solway Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Solway Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Solway Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Solway Elementary has 49.5% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Solway Elementary a charter school?
No, Solway Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Solway Elementary a Title I school?
No, Solway Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Solway Elementary?
52.1% of students at Solway 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. City-level (Bemidji). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 146
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Beltrami County
- Phone
- (218) 467-3232
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,812
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #1 of 11
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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