Average
#200 of 318 private schools in MN
St James Lutheran School
Elementary School
1000 6TH AVE, Howard Lake, MN 55349
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MN statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Minnesota elementary schools
#128 of 222
About St James Lutheran School
ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL is a charming rural institution located in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 90 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1. The dedicated staff includes nine full-time equivalent teachers who strive to provide personalized attention and support for each child's educational journey.
While specific test score data is not available, the school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Minnesota schools. This suggests that while there may be room for academic growth, ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL focuses on student development and overall educational quality. The rural setting around Howard Lake offers a close-knit community where students can thrive both academically and socially.
With its small class sizes and committed teachers, ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL provides a supportive learning environment for children in this picturesque area of Minnesota.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 90 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.
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.
Located in a rural area, St James Lutheran School 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St James Lutheran School compares to the 7 public schools in Howard Lake, MN
Student Demographics
All Schools in Howard Lake
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St James Lutheran School (this school) | 5.9 |
| HLWW ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM | — |
| MEEKER-WRIGHT EARLY CHILDHOOD SP ED | — |
| STEP TD PROGRAM | — |
| JOURNEYS ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM | — |
| TREK PROGRAM | — |
| Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle | 5.2 |
| HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. | 3.0 |
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
1000 6TH AVE, Howard Lake, MN 55349
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St James Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COKATO ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Cokato), which scores notably higher. Another option is LESTER PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.2/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Lester Prairie), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WINSTED ELEMENTARY (rated 6.1/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Winsted), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Howard Lake, see our Howard Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HLWW ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM Howard Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| MEEKER-WRIGHT EARLY CHILDHOOD SP ED Howard Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| STEP TD PROGRAM Howard Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| JOURNEYS ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Howard Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| TREK PROGRAM Howard Lake | 0.3 mi | — |
| HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. Howard Lake | 2.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle Howard Lake | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| WINSTED ELEMENTARY Winsted | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| HOWARD LAKE WAVERLY WINSTED ECSE Winsted | 6.1 mi | — |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Winsted | 6.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HUMPHREY ELEMENTARY Waverly | 4.6 mi | 5.0 |
| VILLAGE RANCH ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Cokato | 5.0 mi | 7.2 |
| DASSEL-COKATO ALTERNATIVE CTR. Cokato | 6.1 mi | 5.1 |
| COKATO ELEMENTARY Cokato | 6.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Montrose Elementary School of Innov Montrose | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| DASSEL-COKATO SENIOR HIGH Cokato | 8.3 mi | 6.7 |
| DASSEL-COKATO MIDDLE Cokato | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| LESTER PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Lester Prairie | 11.7 mi | 6.2 |
| LESTER PRAIRIE SECONDARY Lester Prairie | 11.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ST TIMOTHYS PARISH SCHOOL Maple Lake | 12.4 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55349 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,054
Median Home Value
$287,100
Median Rent
$952/mo
Population
3,555
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding St James Lutheran School has a median household income of $100,054. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,100, with a median rent of $952/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL North Saint Paul, MN | 5.9 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Glencoe, MN | 5.9 |
| La Crescent Montessori & STEM Acad La Crescent, MN | 5.9 |
| MOST HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL Montgomery, MN | 5.9 |
| NORTHWOODS SDA ELEMENTARY Hutchinson, MN | 5.9 |
| ST JOHN S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Young America, MN | 5.9 |
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 90 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St James Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at St James Lutheran School is 10.2:1. 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 #200 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 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.
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
- Average (270/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Howard Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 90
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 6.9 hours
- Days Per Year
- 165 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- WRIGHT
- Phone
- (320) 543-2630
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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