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Average

#1453 of 1,992 schools in MN

Solway Elementary

Elementary School · BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

502 MINNESOTA AVE NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

Enrollment

146

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,453 of 1,992

In Bemidji

#12 of 17

public schools

In district

#8 of 11

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Solway Elementary

5.3/10

Elementary School in Bemidji · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Schoolcraft Learning Community

6.0/10

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

Gene Dillon Elementary School

8.3/10

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

About Solway Elementary

Solway Elementary is a public elementary school in Bemidji, MN, part of BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Solway Elementary serves approximately 146 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Solway Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,453 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Solway Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 146 students, Solway 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.

Solway 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,202
Chronic Absenteeism24%

Solway Elementary — Students at Solway Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.3% (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
47%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
49.5%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Solway Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in MN
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.0%

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. Gene Dillon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurora Waasakone Community of Learn (rated 7.7/10, 11.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTHERN ELEMENTARY (rated 6.6/10, 11.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 6.0
Gene Dillon Elementary School Bemidji 9.3 mi 8.3
PAUL BUNYAN CENTER Bemidji 9.0 mi
BEMIDJI SENIOR HIGH Bemidji 9.9 mi 5.9
BEMIDJI AREA LEARNING CENTER Bemidji 9.9 mi 5.1
BEMIDJI SENIOR LUMBERJACK ALC Bemidji 9.9 mi 5.7
ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bemidji 9.7 mi 3.5
BEMIDJI MIDDLE Bemidji 10.1 mi 6.6
BEMIDJI MIDDLE ALP Bemidji 10.1 mi
OSHKI MANIDOO CENTER Bemidji 10.4 mi
FIRST CITY SCHOOL Bemidji 10.5 mi 5.9
TREKNORTH HIGH SCHOOL Bemidji 10.4 mi 5.7
Trek North Middle School Bemidji 10.4 mi 2.8
BEMIDJI REGIONAL INTERDIST. COUNCIL Bemidji 10.7 mi
NORTHERN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 11.2 mi 6.6
J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji 11.3 mi 4.6
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 7.7
Voyageurs Expeditionary School Bemidji 11.5 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BIGFORK ELEMENTARY Bigfork, MN 5.3
Crosslake Community Seat Based Crosslake, MN 5.3
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pierz, MN 5.3
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield, MN 5.3
NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL Nerstrand, MN 5.3
OPEN ARMS EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CENTER Minneapolis, MN 5.3

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 ranks #1,453 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Solway Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Solway Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Solway Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Solway Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.0%

District

BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,812
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#8 of 11

How we rate schools

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