Average
#1208 of 1,986 schools in MN
Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8
Middle School · SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL
17823 INDUSTRIAL CIRCLE NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elk River
#9 of 14
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#89 of 280
In district
#2 of 3
SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8
Spectrum Middle School is a charter school located in the large suburban area of Elk River, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, Spectrum Middle School has an enrollment of 287 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it at the 60th percentile among Minnesota schools.
Spectrum Middle School focuses on academic growth with its current proficiency rates showing 69% in ELA/Reading and 53% in Math. Spectrum Middle School aims to support each student's development through a comprehensive curriculum tailored for middle school students. The school’s setting within the Elk River community offers a suburban environment that balances urban amenities with a close-knit feel, making it an inviting place for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 — Students at Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.1%
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
↓ 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: 6.5/10.
How Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 Compares
See how Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 68% (2022).
Location
17823 INDUSTRIAL CIRCLE NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Spectrum Middle School - Grade 6 (rated 7.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.1/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.3/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Elk River, see our Elk River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Middle School - Grade 6 Elk River | 0.1 mi | 7.1 |
| SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL Elk River | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Three Rivers Montessori School Elk River | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| ST ANDREW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Elk River | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| PARKER ELEMENTARY Elk River | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Elk River | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ELK RIVER SENIOR HIGH Elk River | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| ELK RIVER DISTRICT SHARED TIME PROG Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| Online728 High School Elk River | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Online728 Elementary School Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| Online728 Middle School Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| Handke Center- EC Special Education Elk River | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| OTSEGO ELEMENTARY Otsego | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River | 1.8 mi | 3.3 |
| ISD 728 FOCUS/JOURNEY Elk River | 1.8 mi | — |
| IVAN SAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Elk River | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| FAIRVIEW PROGRAM Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| Ivan Sand Middle School ALC Elk River | 1.9 mi | — |
| SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,481
Median Home Value
$355,200
Median Rent
$1,356/mo
Population
45,080
College Educated
33.1%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 has a median household income of $111,481. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,200, with a median rent of $1,356/month. The local poverty rate of 2.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| FOREST LAKE ELEMENTARY Forest Lake, MN | 5.9 |
| PLAINVIEW-ELGIN-MILLVILLE 4-6 Elgin, MN | 6.0 |
| Prairie Seeds Middle School Academy Brooklyn Park, MN | 5.8 |
| GFW Middle School Winthrop, MN | 6.1 |
| TRITON MIDDLE SCHOOL Dodge Center, MN | 5.7 |
| WASECA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Waseca, MN | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8
What grades does Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 serve?
Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8?
Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 rank in MN?
Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 is ranked #1208 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 has 53.0% math proficiency and 69.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 a charter school?
Yes, Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 a Title I school?
No, Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8?
18.1% of students at Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,096/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elk River). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sherburne County
- Phone
- (763) 241-8703
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SPECTRUM HIGH SCHOOL- District Enrollment
- 892
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,285
- District Rank
- #2 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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