Average
#151 of 318 private schools in MN
Top 47% of private schools
St James Lutheran School
Elementary School
108 S JAMES ST, Fairmont, MN 56031
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MN statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Fairmont
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#90 of 222
About St James Lutheran School
ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL is a small, rural elementary school located on South James Street in Fairmont, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 48 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. Despite not having specific test score data available, the MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 indicates that there is room for academic growth.
The school's setting in a rural area provides students with a close-knit community where they can receive individualized attention from their educators. The school's location in Fairmont, known as the "Prairie City," offers scenic views and small-town charm, enhancing the learning environment for its young scholars.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 48 students, St James Lutheran School 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, St James Lutheran School 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.
As a private school, St James Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St James Lutheran School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Fairmont, MN
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St James Lutheran School (this school) | 6.4 |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. | 7.6 |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP. | — |
| POSITIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING | — |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS BRIDGES | — |
| FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 6.2 |
| FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL | 4.2 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MN.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MN
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
108 S JAMES ST, Fairmont, MN 56031
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St James Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TRIMONT ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Trimont), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRUMAN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Truman), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SHERBURN ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Sherburn), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fairmont, see our Fairmont schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Northrop | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP. Fairmont | 5.1 mi | — |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. Fairmont | 5.1 mi | 7.6 |
| POSITIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING Fairmont | 5.1 mi | — |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS BRIDGES Fairmont | 5.1 mi | — |
| TRUMAN ELEMENTARY Truman | 6.2 mi | 7.1 |
| TRUMAN SECONDARY Truman | 6.2 mi | 5.2 |
| FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmont | 6.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 6.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Fairmont | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| FAIRMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 6.5 mi | — |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Truman | 6.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada | 5.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch Granada | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain Middle S Granada | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL Fairmont | 6.9 mi | 4.2 |
| GENESIS CLASSICAL ACADEMY Winnebago | 13.0 mi | 7.3 |
| TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont | 14.2 mi | 7.5 |
| SHERBURN ELEMENTARY Sherburn | 15.5 mi | 6.8 |
| MARTIN COUNTY WEST SENIOR HIGH Sherburn | 15.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,373
Median Home Value
$175,600
Median Rent
$719/mo
Population
11,800
College Educated
26.2%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
15.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
46.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding St James Lutheran School has a median household income of $61,373. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,600, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| SCHOOL OF ST PHILIP Litchfield, MN | 6.4 |
| Hibbing Early Learning Center Hibbing, MN | 6.5 |
| PINE POINT ELEMENTARY Ponsford, MN | 6.5 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint James, MN | 6.5 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Gaylord, MN | 6.3 |
| OUR LADY OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL Belle Plaine, MN | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St James Lutheran School
What grades does St James Lutheran School serve?
St James Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St James Lutheran School?
St James Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St James Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at St James Lutheran School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St James Lutheran School rank in MN?
St James Lutheran School is ranked #151 out of 318 private schools in MN.
What is St James Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
St James Lutheran School 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.
Is St James Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, St James Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is St James Lutheran School a religious school?
St James Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,691/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairmont). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 48
- Gender Split
- 67% M / 33% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 6.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- MARTIN
- Phone
- (507) 436-5547
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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