Below Average
#1778 of 1,986 schools in MN
St. James Northside Elementary
Elementary School · ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
P. O. BOX 509, Saint James, MN 56081
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saint James
#3 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#888 of 962
In district
#3 of 3
ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About St. James Northside Elementary
ST. JAMES NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Saint James, Minnesota. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, this elementary school has an enrollment of 492 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10, placing it at the 44th percentile among Minnesota schools. Academically, the ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 54%, and in Math, 57% of students are proficient or above. With its focus on a supportive learning environment, ST.
JAMES NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY aims to enhance academic performance while fostering community engagement and student development. The school's remote rural location provides a close-knit setting for both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, St. James Northside Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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St. James Northside Elementary — Students at St. James Northside Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
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: 1.6/10.
How St. James Northside Elementary Compares
See how St. James Northside Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
P. O. BOX 509, Saint James, MN 56081
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St. James Northside Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COMFREY ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), which scores notably higher. Another option is BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Butterfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRIMONT ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Trimont), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saint James, see our Saint James schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| St. James Middle/High School Saint James | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint James | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| ST. JAMES EARLY CHILDHOOD Saint James | 0.9 mi | — |
| Armstrong School Saint James | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield | 8.7 mi | 8.7 |
| BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield | 8.7 mi | 4.7 |
| MADELIA ELEMENTARY Madelia | 11.1 mi | 7.3 |
| MADELIA SECONDARY Madelia | 11.1 mi | 5.4 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Madelia | 11.2 mi | 7.2 |
| TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont | 16.3 mi | 7.5 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Truman | 14.4 mi | 5.6 |
| TRUMAN ELEMENTARY Truman | 14.8 mi | 7.1 |
| TRUMAN SECONDARY Truman | 14.8 mi | 5.2 |
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 15.4 mi | 6.0 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Mountain Lake | 15.5 mi | 4.9 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake | 15.6 mi | 7.3 |
| COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey | 16.4 mi | 9.0 |
| COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey | 16.4 mi | 7.2 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 15.6 mi | 8.0 |
| MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Northrop | 19.7 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56081 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,612
Median Home Value
$153,400
Median Rent
$810/mo
Population
6,092
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding St. James Northside Elementary has a median household income of $66,612. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,400, with a median rent of $810/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| MEADOW LAKE ELEMENTARY New Hope, MN | 4.6 |
| PULLMAN ELEMENTARY Saint Paul Park, MN | 4.6 |
| Paynesville Area Elementary Paynesville, MN | 4.6 |
| RIVERSIDE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 4.6 |
| WASHBURN ELEMENTARY Bloomington, MN | 4.6 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeville, MN | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St. James Northside Elementary
What grades does St. James Northside Elementary serve?
St. James Northside Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend St. James Northside Elementary?
St. James Northside Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 492 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St. James Northside Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at St. James Northside Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does St. James Northside Elementary rank in MN?
St. James Northside Elementary is ranked #1778 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is St. James Northside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
St. James Northside Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 St. James Northside Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St. James Northside Elementary has 57.3% math proficiency and 54.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St. James Northside Elementary a charter school?
No, St. James Northside Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is St. James Northside Elementary a Title I school?
No, St. James Northside Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St. James Northside Elementary?
64.8% of students at St. James Northside Elementary 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
- County Safety
- Average (260/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 492
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Watonwan County
- Phone
- (507) 375-3325
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,150
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,649
- District Rank
- #3 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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