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Average

#678 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 34% in state

Spero Academy

Elementary School · Spero Academy

2701 CALIFORNIA ST. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Charter

Enrollment

145

Student-Teacher

6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#678 of 1,992

In Minneapolis

#38 of 125

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Spero Academy

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Spero Academy

6.8/10

Elementary School in Minneapolis · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Banaadir Elementary

8.1/10

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

Menlo Park Academy

5.8/10

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

About Spero Academy

Spero Academy is a public elementary school in Minneapolis, MN, part of Spero Academy. Spero Academy serves approximately 145 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Spero Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #678 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Spero Academy show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 145 students, Spero Academy 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.

Test scores at Spero Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 6:1 students to teachers, Spero Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$64,546
Chronic Absenteeism29.7%

Spero Academy — Students at Spero Academy score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2010
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2011
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2012
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2013
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
32%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Spero Academy Compares

See how Spero Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
66th percentile in MN
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

Location

2701 CALIFORNIA ST. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spero Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Banaadir Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Columbia Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cityview Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Minneapolis, see our Minneapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Banaadir Elementary Minneapolis 0.7 mi 8.1
MENLO PARK ACADEMY Minneapolis 0.8 mi 5.8
Menlo Park Academy Extended Minneapolis 0.8 mi
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Minneapolis 0.9 mi 6.0
Cityview Elementary Minneapolis 0.8 mi 6.9
New City School Minneapolis 1.0 mi 4.9
HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS Minneapolis 1.1 mi
Exploration High School Minneapolis 1.1 mi
Las Estrellas Elementary Minneapolis 1.3 mi 6.3
Edison High Minneapolis 1.0 mi 6.1
NELLIE STONE JOHNSON ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 1.3 mi 6.0
MPS METRO HA Minneapolis 1.7 mi 6.0
Webster Elementary Minneapolis 1.7 mi 4.9
SOJOURNER TRUTH ACADEMY Minneapolis 1.3 mi 3.9
Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary Columbia Heights 1.9 mi 4.5
Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary Columbia Heights 1.9 mi 8.0
Prodeo Columbia Heights Middle Columbia Heights 1.9 mi 7.8
UNITY CAMPUS Minneapolis 1.6 mi 6.3
Hall Academy Elementary Minneapolis 1.8 mi 4.7
MN International Middle Chr School Minneapolis 2.0 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55418 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,630

Median Home Value

$332,500

Median Rent

$1,349/mo

Population

31,295

College Educated

51.4%

Homeownership

65.6%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CARLOS ELEMENTARY Carlos, MN 6.8
CENTRAL EDUCATION CAMPUS New Prague, MN 6.8
GOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY Goodridge, MN 6.8
MANY RIVERS MONTESSORI Duluth, MN 6.8
MILTONA ELEMENTARY Miltona, MN 6.8
Montessori at Franklin Elementary Rochester, MN 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spero Academy

What grades does Spero Academy serve?

Spero Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Spero Academy?

Spero Academy has an enrollment of approximately 145 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spero Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Spero Academy is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spero Academy rank in MN?

Spero Academy ranks #678 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Spero Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Spero Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Spero Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spero Academy has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Spero Academy a charter school?

Yes, Spero Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Spero Academy a Title I school?

No, Spero Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spero Academy?

42.8% of students at Spero Academy 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
86 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hennepin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

District

Spero Academy
District Enrollment
229
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$64,546
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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