Very Good
#485 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 24% in state
South Ridge Elementary
Elementary School · ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
8162 SWAN LAKE RD, Culver, MN 55779
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Culver
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#376 of 962
In district
#3 of 9
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About South Ridge Elementary
South Ridge Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the rural community of Culver, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, South Ridge has an enrollment of 304 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it at the 60th percentile among Minnesota schools.
Academically, South Ridge Elementary focuses on foundational skills and student development. Their state ranking of #808 out of 2027 reflects a need for improvement in test scores but indicates that there is room for growth. In reading and ELA, 52% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the figure stands at 42%.
These percentages highlight areas where South Ridge is working to enhance student performance. South Ridge Elementary's setting offers a close-knit community environment with plenty of natural surroundings, providing a unique backdrop for learning. The school serves as a central hub for education and community engagement in its rural area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Ridge 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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South Ridge Elementary — Students at South Ridge Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.7%
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: 7.1/10.
How South Ridge Elementary Compares
See how South Ridge 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 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
8162 SWAN LAKE RD, Culver, MN 55779
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PIKE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Duluth), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HERMANTOWN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Hermantown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Cloquet), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Culver, see our Culver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTH RIDGE SECONDARY Culver | 0.0 mi | 5.5 |
| SHARED TIME Cloquet | 16.5 mi | — |
| CHURCHILL ELEMENTARY Cloquet | 16.5 mi | 6.7 |
| CLOQUET EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Cloquet | 16.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Cloquet | 17.7 mi | — |
| QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cloquet | 17.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Northern Lights Academy Cloquet | 17.8 mi | — |
| CLOQUET AREA ALT. ED. PROGRAMS Cloquet | 17.8 mi | 5.8 |
| CAAEP EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM Cloquet | 17.8 mi | — |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Cloquet | 18.1 mi | 5.0 |
| CLOQUET SENIOR Cloquet | 18.3 mi | 5.6 |
| CLOQUET MIDDLE Cloquet | 18.4 mi | 4.6 |
| PIKE LAKE ELEMENTARY Duluth | 14.4 mi | 7.9 |
| LINCOLN SECONDARY Esko | 19.9 mi | 6.2 |
| WINTERQUIST ELEMENTARY Esko | 19.9 mi | 6.5 |
| NLA-Carlton Cloquet | 21.6 mi | — |
| CARLTON SECONDARY Carlton | 21.6 mi | 5.1 |
| HERMANTOWN ELEMENTARY Hermantown | 17.3 mi | 7.7 |
| HERMANTOWN EARLY CHILDHOOD Hermantown | 17.3 mi | 6.5 |
| HERMANTOWN SENIOR HIGH Hermantown | 17.3 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55779 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,958
Median Home Value
$265,100
Median Rent
$1,637/mo
Population
3,981
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
88.6%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Ridge Elementary has a median household income of $98,958. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $265,100, with a median rent of $1,637/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| BENJAMIN E MAYS MAGNET Saint Paul, MN | 7.3 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Norwood Young America, MN | 7.3 |
| COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset, MN | 7.3 |
| DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Faribault, MN | 7.3 |
| FIT Academy Apple Valley, MN | 7.3 |
| HIGHLAND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Ridge Elementary
What grades does South Ridge Elementary serve?
South Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend South Ridge Elementary?
South Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 304 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Ridge Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Ridge Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Ridge Elementary rank in MN?
South Ridge Elementary is ranked #485 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is South Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Ridge Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 South Ridge Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Ridge Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Ridge Elementary a charter school?
No, South Ridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Ridge Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Ridge Elementary?
47.7% of students at South Ridge 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 304
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- St. Louis County
- Phone
- (218) 345-6789
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,947
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,872
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
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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