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Average

#976 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 49% in state

Spero Academy

Elementary School · Spero Academy

2701 CALIFORNIA ST. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Charter

Enrollment

145

Student-Teacher

6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Minneapolis

#67 of 125

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#606 of 962

In district

#2 of 2

Spero Academy

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Spero Academy

Spero Academy is a charter elementary school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 145 students and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 6:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. As a public charter school, Spero Academy operates independently to offer unique educational opportunities tailored to its community.

Academically, Spero Academy is ranked at the 56th percentile among Minnesota schools, reflecting room for improvement in areas like ELA and math where only 31% of students are proficient or above in reading and 30% in mathematics. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on student development and growth. Spero Academy is situated within a large city setting, offering its students a vibrant urban environment with diverse learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 145 students, Spero Academy 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.

While current test scores at Spero Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Spero Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$58,643

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 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
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: 6.5/10.

How Spero Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in MN
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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. Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Columbia Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Banaadir Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Columbia Heights), which scores notably higher. 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 7.9
MENLO PARK ACADEMY Minneapolis 0.8 mi 6.6
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 6.0
HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS Minneapolis 1.1 mi
Exploration High School Minneapolis 1.1 mi
Las Estrellas Elementary Minneapolis 1.3 mi 7.1
Edison High Minneapolis 1.0 mi 7.7
NELLIE STONE JOHNSON ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 1.3 mi 4.7
MPS METRO HA Minneapolis 1.7 mi 7.1
Webster Elementary Minneapolis 1.7 mi 5.2
SOJOURNER TRUTH ACADEMY Minneapolis 1.3 mi 7.0
Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary Columbia Heights 1.9 mi 7.9
Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary Columbia Heights 1.9 mi 8.2
Prodeo Columbia Heights Middle Columbia Heights 1.9 mi 8.4
UNITY CAMPUS Minneapolis 1.6 mi 5.8
Hall Academy Elementary Minneapolis 1.8 mi 5.8
MN International Middle Chr School Minneapolis 2.0 mi 3.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spero Academy has a median household income of $95,630. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,500, with a median rent of $1,349/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
GOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY Goodridge, MN 6.4
LOVEWORKS ACADEMY FOR ARTS Minneapolis, MN 6.4
ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Caledonia, MN 6.4
ST PETER CATHOLIC North Saint Paul, MN 6.4
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Ely, MN 6.4
WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Worthington, MN 6.4

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 is ranked #976 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Spero Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Spero Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Spero Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spero Academy has 29.5% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (6,330/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Minneapolis). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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 methodology

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